NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 




WILLOWDALE 




COPYRIGHT. 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & Oa 



Price, 50 cents each. 



The publication of the plays of this popular author, made feasible by the new 
Ccpyright Act, under which his valuable sta-ge rights can be fully protected, 
enables us to offer to amateur actors a series of moderp pieces of the highest 
class, all of which have met with distinguished success in the leading English 
and American theatres, and most of which are singularly well adapted for ama- 
teur performance. This publication was originally intended for the benefit of 
readers onlv, but the increasing demand for the plays for acting purposes has 
far outrun their merely literary success. With the idea of placing this excel- 
lent series within the reach of the largest possible number of amateur clubs, we 
have obtained authority to offer them for acting purposes at an author's roy- 
alty of 

Ten Dollars for Each Performance. 

This rate does not apply to pt'ofessional performances, for which terms will b» 
made known on application. 



A. W. PINERO'S PLAYS, t 

Uniformly Bound in Stiff Paper Covers, ifiv 

t 
i 

St/ 
Si? 
St/ 



THE AMAZONS.] 



A Farcical Romance in Three Acts. By Arthur 
W. PiNERO. Seven male and five female char- 
' acters. Costumes, modern; scenery, an exterior 
and an interior, not at all diflicult. This admirable farce is too well known 
through its recent performance by the Lyceum Theatre Company, New York, to 
need description. It is especially recommended to young ladies' schools and 
colleges. (1895.) 



THE CABINET MINISTER. 



Costumes, modern society . 

geniaus in construction, and brilliant in dialogue. 



A Farce in Four Acts. By 
Arthur W. Pinero. Ten male 

' and nine female characters. 

scenery, three interiors. A very amusing piece, in- 
(1892.) 



DANDY DICK. 



A Farce in Three Acts. By Arthur W. Pinero. 

Seven male, four female characters. Costumes, mod- 
' ern ; scenery, two interiors. This very amusing piece 
was another success in the New York and Boston theatres, and has been ex- 
tensively played from manuscript by amateurs, for whom it is in every respect 
suited. It provides an unusual number of capital character parts, is very iunny, 
and an excellent acting piece. Plays two hours and a half. (1893.) 



THE HOBBY HORSE. 



A Comedy in Three Acts. By Arthur 
W. Pinero. Ten male, five female char- 
' acters. Scenery, two interiors and an ex- 
terior ; costumes, modern. This piece is best known in this country through the 
admirable performance of Mr. John Hare, who produced it in all the principal 
cities. Its story presents a clever satire of false philanthropy, and is full of 
Interest and humor. Well adapted for amateurs, by whom it has been success- 
fully acted. Plays two hours and a half. (1892.) 



T A"nV "RnTTlSTTrRTT I ^ P^^y i" ^o'lr ^c**' ^y Arthur w. 
l^r^^^fim^KJl^ l.ir\Ui^* \ pj^ero. Eight male and seven female char- 

*— ~*— "— — ^ acters. Costumes, modern; scenery, four 

taiterloro, not easy. A play of powerful sympathetic interest, a little sombre in 

key, bttt not unrelieved by humorous touches. (1892.) 



WILLOWDALE 



^ piag of Countrg ILtfc in E\}xtt ^cts 



BY 

ARTHUR LEWIS TUBES 

AUTHOR OF "VALLEY FARM,' THE PENALTY OF PRIDE," A DOUBLE DHCEPTION," 

" THE FRUIT OF HIS FOLLY," " THE FINGER OF SCORN," 

" FOLLOWED BY FATE," ETC, 



BOSTON 

WALTER PL BAKER & CO. 

1904 



'.^l 



25 \904 I 



9 



Xo. ?^o. 






WILLOWDALE. 



CHARACTERS. 



Joel Bassett . . . 

Tom Skerrett. . . 

Joseph Godfrey . . 
Clarence Dinsmore 

Rev. Mr. Prosser . 

Lem Hackett . . . 

Simon Pinner . . 

Millie Bassett . . 

Mrs. Bassett . . . 



Post77iaster and storekeeper 

The accused 

A lawyer — ambitions and iinscrnpnlons 

The school tcaclu r 

The i)ii)nsU} 

Leader of the choir and impromptu detective 
, . . Who would rather whittle than work 

A child of fate 

foeVs wife, inclined to have her own way 

RosETTA Gates A bit flighty , but a true friend 

*Mis' Hazey Who imagines things 

Oleander The ^'help,^^ who thinks life is a Joke 

*This character may be omitted, if desired, without interfering with the plot. 
Rosetta Gates may enter alone, in the second act, at the point where Mis' Hazey 
originally brings her in, and overhear the conversation between Godfrey and Dinsmore, 
the effect thus remaining the same. 




Copyright, 1904, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 
All rights reserved. 



Time of playing, about two hours and a quarter. 



NOTICE TO PROFESSIONALS. 

This play is published for amateur production only. Professionals are forbidden 
the use of it under any title or in any form without the consent of the author, who may 
be addressed in care of the publishers. 



/ 



2-^ 3f6J^ 






^ WlLLOWi)ALfi. 

V> SYNOPSIS. 



Vi 



ACT I. 



Interior of the Willowdale post-office and Joel Bassett's store on an 
afternoon in September. The accusation. 

ACT II. 

Sitting-room of the Bassett house, the evening of the church sociable, 
the following week. The engagement. 

ACT III. 
Same as Act II, one month later. The wedding. 



PROPERTIES. 



ACT I. 



Counter, wnth square of post-office boxes ; letters and papers in some 
of the boxes ; leather mail bag containing a packet of letters and a 
number of papers, some loose and others in wrappers; assortment of 
boxes, glass jars of candy, lamp chimneys, rolls of cloth, etc., on 
shelves behind counter ; barrels, boxes, etc., as seen in a country store ; 
broom and dustpan ; stick for Simon Pinner to whittle, and a jack-knife. 

ACT 11. 

Old fashioned anthem books for the members of the "choir." Bible, 
album and several books on table. 

ACT III. 
Assortment of articles to represent wedding gifts. Vase and flowers. 



WiLLOWDALli. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS. 

Joel Bassett. A typical countryman, uncouth but not a caricature. 
He should be a simple-minded, gentle old man, with thin white hair 
and a pleasant face. In Act I he wears a plain, somewhat shabby 
suit, with colored shirt, no collar or necktie; in Act II and III, his 
best suit, with collar and tie. 

Tom Skerrett. A manly young fellow, a bit countrified, but with 
a well-defined air of gentility, easy of manner and dignified on occasion. 
In Act I, plain working suit ; Act II, neat clothes, not dressy ; Act 
III, a black suit, a little better than in Act II, with a white necktie. 

Joseph Godfrey. A man about forty years of age, keen and busi- 
nesslike, with an austere manner and an evident good opinion of liim- 
self. He wears good clothes; in third act a cut-away or full dress suit. 

Clarence Dinsmore. A handsome, gentlemanly fellow, about 
twenty-two years of age or thereabouts; inclined to be " dressy" and 
at first with some evidence of fastness. He softens, however, under 
good influence, and becomes a lovable character. He wears in Act II 
a jaunty summer suit, and in last act a handsome black suit — full 
dress, if desired. 

Rev. Mr. Prosser. Plain black suit or ministerial garb. He is an 
elderly man, mild mannered, but with a decided firmness in his final 
speech to Godfrey. 

Lem Hackett. Not a country "lout," but a lanky young fellow 
with some " greenness " of manner, good-natured and somewhat 
familiar in his treatment of others, but not disagreeably so. Should be 
made a quaint characterization, comical without too much exaggeration. 
In first act he is attired as a farmer coming in from his work ; in 
second and third acts in his " dress up " suit. 

Simon Pinner. A little old man, bent over and rather feeble of 
gait ; lazy mannered, slow of speech. He wears, in opening act, baggy 
old trousers; colored shirt; vest, but no coat; a battered old straw 
hat with the brim torn off. In the succeeding acts he should be more 
neatly attired, in a new suit of evident cheapness, and, in last act, a 
collar and flaring red necktie. A better hat for last two acts. 

Millie Bassett. A pretty country girl, about eighteen, of un- 
affected manner. She is naturally somewhat timid and subdued, but 
as the scene requires becomes quite dignified and speaks with self- 
possession and firmness. Her first dress is a simple one of light 



WILLOWDALE. V 

material, with a becoming hat. Do not let the part be overdressed, as 
she has no excuse for elaborate costumes. In Act II she may wear a 
neat dress, light and somewhat fancy, but not elegant; in Act III, 
white dress of simple texture, a bit " bridy," but not elaborate; white 
veil and a few flowers. 

Mrs. Bassett. A sharp-featured, stern-looking woman of forty- 
five or fifty ; domineering, snappy and unlikeable. At the very last she 
softens gradually and seems to be completely changed. In opening 
act she wears a plain calico dress, with apron; in Act II, a neat but 
plain gown, and in the last act a new dress of plain material, with lace 
collar, breastpin, etc., prim and precise rather than becoming or elegant. 
She speaks in shrill tones and is of quick, nervous movements — a 
typical busy country housewife. 

RosETTA Gates. A pretty, dainty village miss of sixteen or seven- 
teen, of blithesome manner, fond of fun and somewhat " flighty," but 
attractive and winsome. First dress, a light summer costume, large 
hat with roses on ; Act II, becoming costume, preferably of light blue 
or pink musHn, with ribbons. Act III, white dress with flowers. 

Mis' Hazey. A little old lady, of pathetic personality, timid and 
retiring, except during one of her " spells," when she assumes the 
airs and lofty manner of the character she imagines herself to be. Her 
dress is a nondescript get-up, showing a disordered mind — a skirt that 
is too long or too short, waist much too large, bits of ribbons and 
artificial flowers pinned about her person; a hat that is a conglomera- 
tion of flowers and ribbons, etc. She should be an eccentric character, 
mirth-provoking, but still touching and of pronounced pathos. While 
this part is but a "bit," in the hands of a clever actress it should make 
the hit of the performance. 

Oleander. This part should be played by a very large young 
woman, dressed as a girl of twelve or thirteen years of age. First act, 
an old calico dress, much too short, with sleeves nearly to the elbows ; 
hair in braids, awry, and generally untidy appearance. Act II, plain 
blue-checked gingham dress, considerably neater; hair combed and 
tied with gay ribbons. Act III, a rather grotesque attempt to look 
dressed up ; new dress that fits poorly, sash, ribbons, etc., — as funny 
as possible without being too ridiculous. She is naturally slow witted, 
but brightens up on occasions. Her giggle should be worked for all 
it is worth, without being overdone, 



WILLOWDALE. 



ACT I. 

SCENE. — Literior of the store and post-office at Willow dale ; 
coimter up r. c, on end of which is a square of post-office boxes ^ 
containing a few articles of mail ; shelves back of coimter^ with 
rolls of cloth, boxes of various sizes ; two or three glass Jars, 
containing candy, lamp chimneys, etc. ; about stage numerous 
barrels, boxes, etc., and the usual appurte?iances of a small 
country store. Discovered, Simon Pinner sitting on a box, 
L. c, whittling and occasionally nodding sleepily; Lem 
Hackett leaftifig on counter, arid Joel Bassett behind it, 
leanifig over. 

Lem Hackett. You wait, Simon, till Mis' Bassett sees 
them whittlin's all over the floor. She'll give it t' you. 
Won't she, Joel ? 

Joel Bassett. Wal, I reckon I'd clean 'em up before she 
comes in, if I was you, Simon. Y' know, mother's kind o' 
p'tic'lar about how things look. She's liable t' say somethin'. 
I vum, that mail's late agin. {Comirig out f?vm belwid 
counter.) I s'pose the train's behind time. {Goes to door in 
fat, and looks out.) 

Simon Pinner. 'R else Nathan's old nags 've played out 
agin. Y' know that off one is all-fired balky, 'n' y' never can 
tell when the stage is goin' t' git anywhere. Seems t' me a 
man in the service of the gove'nment ought t' be made t' 
have horses that don't balk. 

Lem. Nathan says he would, 'f they'd pay him enough. 
Guess he finds it jest about t'other •'n' which, makin' both 
ends meet. 

Sim. That air son o' his cost him all he could rake 'n' 
scrape, keepin' him out o' jail. 

Joel. There, now, Si, they ain't no use rakin' that up. 

7 



8 WILLO^VDALE. 

Lem. That's right, Joel, 'n' I say with you — give him a 
chance. Sech old stone images as you be, Simon Pinner, 
b'lieve in kickin' a man when he's down, 'n' not lettin' him 
up agin. 'N' then you pertend t' be a shinin' light in the 
church. I don't see where y'r Christ'anity comes in. 

Joel. Jedge not, Lem. Mebbe Simon's light is cal'lated 
t' 'luminate him up, so 't folks can see his faults 'n' fight shy 
of 'em. 

Sim. Guess you needn't talk, neither of y'. If I was 
walkin' in the darkness of sin, like you, Lem Hackett, I 
wouldn't talk about folks that c'n see daylight. 'N' I guess 
you ain't gitt'n' much dazzled neither, be y', Joel ? {Rising 
afid brushing the whittlings from his clothes^ 

Joel {by door, looking out). I ain't got no time f'r religious 
discussions jest now. Here comes the mail. {Exit.) 

Enter, l., Mrs. Bassett. Lem Hackett moves toward door ; 
Simon does not see her until she speaks. 

Mrs. Bassett. See here, Simon Pinner, what d' you 
mean by whittlin' all over that floor ? Don't you know no 
better 'n that ? You get the broom and dustpan and brush 
them up, every one of 'em. 

Sim. Yes, Mis' Bassett, I was jest a-goin' t'. {Goes be- 
hind counter and gets brooin and dustpan^ 

Mrs. B. Wal, you'd better. Ain't that mail in yet 1 

Lem {in door). Yes, Mis' Bassett, it jest come. Joel's 
gone out t' fetch it in. {Exit.) 

Mrs. B. {watching Simon, who is sweepi?ig up the shavings). 
Don't you never do anything, Simon Pinner, but set around 
'n' whittle 'n' snooze ? Seems t' me, if I was an able-bodied 
man, I'd git up some gumption 'n' go t' work. 

Sim. I ain't able t'. My rheumatiz bothers me con- 
sid'able. 

Mrs. B. Huh ! I guess y'r laziness bothers y' more. 
If it don't, it bothers other folks. Oh, I ain't afraid t' tell y' 
the truth, 'n' you know it is the truth, too. It's all right t' 
git up in meetin' and talk about " laborin' in the vineyard," 
if y' ain't too shif'less t' do a few odd jobs when you c'n get 
'em t' do. 

Sim. {who has been looking at her and holding the dustpan so 
that all the shavings have slid off upon the floor). You'd better 



WILLOWDALE. 9 

look t' hum, 'n read that passage about the tongue bein' an 
unruly member. Land knows, you keep busy enough, med- 
dhn' in other folks' business. 

Mrs. B. What's that? If you vva'n't an elder in the 
church, I'd — {She sees t/ic s/iavings.) Lock at that! Now 
you can jest clean them up agin'. Of all men ! 

{She goes behind counter ; he brushes up the whittlings again. 
Enter Joel, c. d., with 7nail bag. He goes around behind 
counter and begins to distribute mail into boxes. Mrs. 
Bassett, as he puts each piece in a box, takes it out and 
examines it closely.) 

Mrs. B. There's a letter for Rosetta Gates. A man's 
handwritin', too. I bet it's from that Dinsmore feller over 
'n Dover, that taught school here last winter. {Looking at 
letter more carefullyi) I can't quite make out the postmark, 
but I know well enough. {Replaci?ig letter in box and taking 
from atiother place a closely-written postal card?) Here's a 
postal card for Mr. Prosser. Whoever wrote that's stingy 
enough. Land, they've be'n small enough t' save a cent's 
postage by writin' s' fine they've got as much as a letter 'd 
hold on a postal card. Ain't no sign'ture, neither — jest J. B. 
{Replacing card, then looki?ig at a rolled-up 7nagazine.) There's 
Mis' Tanner's " Fashion Monthly." Huh ! I don't see 
where she gits the money t' pay for it. It costs a dollar 'n' 
a half a year. I don't know what good it does her t' know 
about the fashions, any^vay. She never has anything. 

( While she has been rattling on, Joel has finished distributing 
the mail, while Simon has gone out with the shavings to 
ej?ipty them, leaviftg the broom behind counter. Enter, c. d., 
RosETTA Gates. She looks i?ito one of the boxes.) 

RosETTA. There's a letter in our box. Will you give it 
to me, Mr. Bassett, please ? 

Mrs. B. {giving her the letter). From y'r feller, I suppose ? 

Ros. {examining the letter, someivhat abashed). Why — a 
— I don't know. 

Mrs. B. Oh, yes y' do know, too. Seems t' me I've 
seen that writin' b'fore. Looks some like a school teacher's. 

Ros. I don't think, Mrs. Bassett, that it makes any dif- 
ference to you who I get letters from. 



10 AVILLOWDALE. 

Mrs. B. My ! you needn't fly mad about it ! But I guess 
your folks don't know either. I notice you're always the 
one that comes to the post-oflice. 

Ros. And I guess the post-office isn't run for your amuse- 
ment, or to gratify your curiosity. {Starti?ig to go.) 

Mrs. B. Joel Bassett, do you hear how that girl's talkin' 
t' me ? Do you allow your wife t' be insulted ? 

Joel. I guess she's right, mother. It ain't none of our 
business what mail folks git, 'n' we ain't s'posed t' tell. 

Mrs. B. Wal, if I ever ! Accusin' y'r own wife of break- 
in' the law! 

Joel. I ain't. But I guess I'd let Rosetta git letters 
from anybuddy she wants t', 'n' not say anything about it. 

(Mrs. Bassett glares at him savagely, as if too a?igry to speak. 
Rosetta sfniles at hi^n, opens her letter and begins reading it.) 

Ros. I hope you'll excuse me if I seemed disrespectful, 
Mrs. Bassett. 

Mrs. B. You needn't worry about my tellin' anybuddy 
about your letters. I guess I know more 'n that. B'sides, 
it don't interest me in the least what mail folks get. 

(Rosetta ^^^j cutc.Tt., as Lem Hackett re-enters, followed by 
the Rev. Mr. Prosser and two or three villagers. They 
enquire for mail. Mr. Prosser gets his postal and several 
other pieces ; the others get a letter, a paper, or nothi?ig at all. 
They all stand about, reading letters, papers, etc., or watching 
the othe?'s. One or two purchase so??iething.) 

Mrs. B. Did y' give out the sociable in prayer meetin' 
last night, Mr. Prosser ? I wa'n't able t' get there. 

Mr. Prosser. Oh, yes, Mrs. Bassett, I gave notice of it, 
and urged them all to come. I tliink we will have a large 
attendance. 

Mrs. B. I hope so. Goodness knows, it's trouble enough 
havin' it. 'T upsets y'r house so, 'n' it takes a week t' get 
cleaned up afterwards. But, then, of course it's for a good 
cause. 

Mr. P. Yes, the church needs funds. We're pledged to 
give twenty-five dollars to missions, and we have nothing 
towards it as yet. 



WILLOWDALE. 11 

{The people all go out, ivith the exception ^Lem Hackett, who 
stands R., reading a neiuspaper. Joel is behitid counter^ 
Mrs. Bassett, r. c, and Mr. Prosser, c.) 

Mrs. B. Missions ! H'm ! seems t' me we'd better do a 
little missionary work right here t' home, b'fore we go t' 
sendin' money off t' foreign lands. They's plenty chance 
for it right here in Willowdale. 

Mr. p. Yes, of course, Mrs. Bassett, there are people in our 
own community who need improving. None of us are perfect. 

Mrs. B. Wal, I don't want t' jedge, but I was thinkin' of 
one or two in p'tic'lar. There's Tom Skerrett. It don't 
seem t' me it's jest the thing t' keep him on as sexton of the 
church, after he's been accused of stealin', and only jest 
escaped gett'n' int' jail. 

Joel. Now, mother, I wouldn't begin that agin. 

Mrs. B. No, you're too soft-hearted. You'd 'a' kep' 
him right along here as clerk after that registered letter o' 
Mr. Godfrey's was missed and ev'rything pointed t' his takin' 
it, if it hadn't be'n f'r me. 

Lem {looking up fro7n his paper and speaking as if he could 
no longer hold i?i). It ain't anything to brag about. Mis' 
Bassett, givin' a young man a bad name. It wa'n't proved 
ag'inst him, neither. 

Mrs. B. What if it wa'n't ? It looked that way, pretty 
strong. He distributed the mail the day it come, and no- 
buddy else touched it, and it could be seen plain enough 
that it had b'en opened and the money took out Forty 
dollars, too. If his father hadn't made it good, he'd 'a' b'en 
in jail. 

Mr. p. Oh, my dear Mrs. Bassett, don't you think we 
ought to be a little kinder in our judgment ? As Mr. Hackett 
says, the young man now has a bad name, while it is quite 
possible, and very probable, that he is entirely innocent. I am 
very thankful Mr. Godfrey accepted the settlement as he did, 
and was kind enough not to report the matter to the govern- 
ment. Furthermore, I am gratified that the trustees decided 
to keep Tom on as sexton. I was successful in persuading 
them to do so, and I am thankful for it. It is the only em- 
ployment he can secure, it seems, and while the pay is small, 
it is better than being entirely idle. 



12 WILLOWDALE. 

Mrs. B. Yes, and Joel was one o' the trustees that de- 
cided t' keep him. You can be sure it was ag'inst all I 
could say. 

Mr. p. I am quite sure of that, and I am glad Mr. 
Bassett held out against your persuasive powers. {He has 
gone to c. D.) Good afternoon. {Exit.) 

Lem. And I say " amen " to that. I guess that's the 
time the minister give y' a little dig, Mis' Bassett. Y' see, 
folks know it ain't very often Joel don't do as you say. 

Mrs. B. You'd better mind y'r own business, seems t' me. 

Lem (about to go). Guess I had. They ain't none too 
many people doin' that, around here. 

(Joel chuckles, as if enjoying his wife''s discomfiture : she looks 
aroimd at him, a?id he suddenly assujnes a long face. Lem is 
about to exit, but pauses as Oleander enters l. She drags 
hcrscf in hizily, unth a dish in o?ie hand and a 7aij>i}ig towel 
i?i the other.) 

Mrs. B. Wal, what do you want now ? 

Oleander (jerking her head toiuard l.). They's a duchess 
in there. The duchess o' Marlburrer, I think she said she 
was. Come t' make y' a call. {She giggles.) 

Joel. Wal, I vum, we're gitt'n' up in the world, ain't we, 
havin' the nobilities t' call on us. 'N' you with a callker 
dress on, mother. 

Mrs. B. Huh ! As if I didn't know. Wal, I'll go right 
in. They's no sayin' what she'll be up to, if y' leave her 
alone. So she's a duchess t'-day, is she ? (l.) Last week 
she was a hull queen. 

Ole. She's jest too comical. I have t' laugh. 

Mrs. B. I call it a pity, 'n' nothin' t' laugh at. You'd 
better go 'n' finish washin' them dishes. Stop y'r gigglin' ! 

Ole, Yes, ma'am. {She puts the dish cloth over her mouth, 
smothering laughter, and as Mrs. Bassett goes toward her, 
dodges and drops the dish, breaking it.) 

Mrs. B. There ! now see what youVe done. I ought t' 
keep track o' the dishes you break, 'n' take it out o' your 
wages. Y^'ou're always breakin' somethin'. 

Ole. {still laughing). If y' did, I wouldn't have nothin' left. 

Mrs. B. Now don't git sassy. Pick up them pieces 'n' 
come and finish your work. 



WILLOWDALE. 13 

{If the dish should fail to break zvheii Oleander drops it, the 
speeches in reference to it should be Ofnitted.) 

Ole. Yes, ma'am. 

Exit Mrs. Bassett, l. 

Joel. I guess you'd laugh at a hangin', Oleander. 

Ole. I reckon I would. I always do, jest when I hadn't 
ought t'. I laughed at Mis' Hammond's funeral, right in the 
solem'est part. And when I see Mis' Hazey — well, I'd 
laugh if I knew it would make me deef 'n' dumb the next 
minute. 

Mrs. B. {calling loudly from offi.i) Olean — der ! 

Ole. Yes, ma'am. {Toward l.). I 'spect Mis' Bassett 
'11 jest give it t' me. {Exit l., giggling.) 

Lem. That girl takes the cake. .She always laughs like 
that ? 

Joel. Yes, pretty nigh the hull time. No matter what y' 
say to her," scold 'r anything else, she laughs. She must 
have funny-bones all over her. 

Lem. She don't look much bony. Lazy, ain't she ? 

Joel. Ruther. Mother says she don't earn her salt, but 
I guess she does, 'n' her pepper, too, 'n' somethin' t' put 'em 
on. All's the matter with her, she's growin' too fast. It 
takes her strength. 

Lem. Growin' ? Gosh ! ain't she stopped yet ? 

Joel. Guess not. I d' know but we'll open a side show, 
if she keeps on, 'n' charge ten cents t' see her. 

Lem. And have Mis' Hazey for another freak, I s'pose ? 
She'd draw a crowd. 

Joel. Poor Mis' Hazey, I'm sorry f'r her. She ain't t' 
blame f t bein' s' flighty. I tell y', when a woman loses all 
her folks, 'n' 'most all she had in the world, 'n' goes crazy, 
it seems kind of a shame t' laugh at her. 

Lem. I know it does, but it is comical, the way she 
imagines she's so many grand folks. Seems t' enjoy it jest 
as much as if she was, too. 

Joel. Yes; y' see she read s' many novel books, she 
got her head full o' them high notions, then when all her 
trouble come and took her mind, that's all they was left, 'n' 
she thinks she's duchesses 'n' thina:s. Poor cret're, she 



14 WILLOWDALE. 

ain't got a soul left m the world t' call her own. It's a good 
thing she's got that pension, if it ain't but twelve dollars a 
month. If it wa'n't f r that, I guess she'd have t' go t' the 
poor house. 

Lem iivho has gone up c, about to exit). Here comes Joe 
Godfrey now, after his mail. I always feel kind o' riled 
when I see that man. I don't put much stock in him. It's 
my opinion, if I was t' give it, that he's a regular shyster. 
(^Goes to L.) 

Joel. I ain't goin' t' dispute y', Lem, nor say I agree 
with y', neither. All is, I mistrust they's something behind 
that registered letter business. Can't nobuddy make me 
b'lieve Tom Skerett opened it and took the money out. 

Lem. N'r me. It don't look likely, in the first place- 
Godfrey claims it was opened and sealed up agin', don't he? 

Joel. Yes ; he tries t' make out it had forty dollars in it, 
and that Tom steamed it open, took out the money, 'n' sealed 
it up ag'in. 

Lem. Tom Skerrett ain't such a fool. He'd know he 
couldn't do that without gett'n' found out. What if it had 
been opened ? It might 'a' been done b'fore it ever reached 
this office. Did Godfrey prove that the money was ever put 
into it ? 

Joel. No, he didn't, and what's more, he seemed mighty 
willin' t' let the matter drop and not report it to the gov'- 
ment. Put it that he had nothin' ag'inst Tom, and if I'd 
discharge him, he'd let the matter drop where it was. 

Lem. Huh ! They's somethin' behind it all, you mark 
my word. Godfrey's in love with your Millie, ain't he ? 

Joel. Wal, he pertends t' be. Y' see, he's been makin' 
up to her lately, all of a sudden like, and her mother's mighty 
took up with him. Says Millie's got t' give up Tom Skerrett 
v.'hen she can get a chance like Joe Godfrey, b 'cause he's a 
lawyer 'n' owns a house 'n' lot and a pair o' horses. As if 
all that, 'r a heap more, could make up to a gal f'r losin' the 
man she loves 'n' marryin' one she don't care a snap f'r. 

Lem. And a pompous old shrimp like Joe Godfrey, too. 
He ain't worth bein' mentioned in the same week with Tom 
Skerrett, if he has got property. If I was you, I wouldn't 
let my daughter be made unhappy. Don't you let her give 
up Tom. You 'n' I'll organize a little private detective force 



WILLOWDALE. 15 

of our own, and see 'f we can't get him out of this scrape, so 
't he can marry MiUie. Everybuddy knows they've been as 
good as engaged, this long while. What d' you say, Mr. 
Bassett .'* Want t' join me and see 'f we can't beat the smart 
Lawyer Godfrey at his own game ? 

Joel. M'm — wal, there's mother — she's mighty sot on 
Millie's havin' Godfrey, 'n' when mother — 

Lem. Yes, I know^ — you're afraid to go ag"inst her. 
Well, don't, yet. We'll let her 'n' Godfrey think they're 
havin' their own way, *n' see 'f we can't give 'em a surprise 
party by 'n' by. Are you with me ? 

Joel (after a slight hesitatioii). Y — yes, Lem, I be. 
You're a good friend of mine, and Tom's, too. I'll do it. 

Lem. Good. {They shake ha/ids.) That's settled, and 
the detective firm of Bassett and Hackett begins business 
from this minute — all on the quiet. Vv^onder what's keeping 
Godfrey. {Crossmg and looking off c.) Oh, he stopped to 
talk t' the minister. Here he comes. {Crossing back to l.) 
Now to see if w^e can't get a clue. 

Enter Joseph Godfrey, r. He goes at once and looks into his 
post-office box, 7vhcre there are several letters, not Jioticing Lem. 
Joel hands him the letters ; he opens one and begins readiftg 
it, without speaking. 

Lem {after a pause). Nice day, Mr. Godfrey ? 

Godfrey {looking up casually'). Eh ? Oh, yes, very 
pleasant. {Again readi?ig.) 

Lem {watching him closely a moment, then speaki?ig in a care- 
less tone). Er — any registered letters to-day, Mr. Godfrey ? 

God. Any — what's that ? 

Lem. I say, any more registered letters, lately ? 

God. What do you mean by that ? 

Lem. Sim.ple question enough, ain't it ? Ought t' 'xplain 
itself. I just w^as a-wondering if you'd had any more letters 
steamed open and the money stole. Let me see, wdiere was 
that one from that you claim forty dollars was taken out of ? 

God. I consider that my own affair, Mr. Hackett. It 
doesn't concern you in the least. 

Lem. Well, it concerns Mr. Bassett here, seeing he's post 
master, and it does concern me a little bit, too, when you try 
t' make out Tom Skerrett is a thief. Tom and me's been 



16 WILLOWDALE. 

pretty good friends ever sence we used t' set t'gether in 
school, 'n' you nor anybody else can't convince me he'd steal 
s' much as a slate pencil, and when it comes to forty dollars 
— well, you'd have to bring pretty strong proofs, and I ain't 
see proof of any kind yet. 

God. There's proof enough, if I cared to produce it. 
But I don't wish the young man any harm, so I have over- 
looked the matter, and — 

Lem. Overlooked several important points. Eh, Joel ? 

Joel. Seems t' me so, Mr. Godfrey. F'r my part, I pre- 
ferred t' report the matter to the post-office department and 
have a thor'er investigation. That was Tom Skerrett's idee, 
too, only my wife ^nd Millie sided with you t' let it drop. 
I've kind o' made up my mind I hain't got no right t' drop 
it. Seems t' me it's my duty t' report it to the gov'ment. 

God. {alarmed^ but tryi?ig not to show it). Not at all — not 
at all, Mr. Bassett, if I don't wish to have it done. If I 
make no charge, you are not required to report it. 

Joel. Wal, you're a lawyer 'n' ought t' know. But you 
make charge enough t' disgrace Tom Skerrett 'n' keep -him 
from gett'n' any honest employment. You insisted on my 
dischargin' him, 'n' you've given him a bad reputation. 
Seems t' me that's bad enough. 

God. Wouldn't it be worse to send him to prison ? 

Lem. So it would, Mr. Godfrey — if you could do it. 
But it would be better, I take it, to prove him innocent, and 
restore his honorable name. 

God. Perhaps that wouldn't be so easy — if I presented 
my case. 

Lem (l.). Well, if I was Tom Skerrett, you'd present it 
mighty quick, Mr. Joseph Godfrey, and prove what you've 
charged ag'inst me, or pay big damages for malicious slander, 
I can tell you that. 

God. {smiling sarcastically to co7!er his discomfiture). Oh, 
you would ? Well, it happens you are not the man, so we'll 
drop the subject. 

{He starts up c, and is about to go out, when he meets Millie, 
who enters c. jy., pausing in evidetit confusion as she sees him, as 
if she 7V0uld retreat without speaking to him if it were possible. 
But she is obliged to come i7i, pausing up c. as he speaks.) 



WTLLOWDALE. 17 

God. (r. c). How do you do, Miss Millie? I'm glad to 
see you. 

Millie {coolly^. Very well, thank you, Mr. Godfrey. 
{Crossing down to l. and speaking to Lem with mai'kcd co7'di- 
alityi) Why, hello, Lem. Where have you been lately ? I 
haven't seen you for some time. 

Lem. Oh, I've been around, as usual. Guess you're the 
one. Don't see you here in the store as I used t'. Ain't so 
much attraction, eh ? — since — 

Mil. {interrupting him, going up to counter). I just met 
Rosetta Gates, father, and she told me some news. She had 
a letter from Mr. Dinsmore, and he says he has been engaged 
to come back and teach the next term of school. 

Joel. You don't say so ? So you hired him ag'in, did 
y', Mr. Godfrey ? 

God. Yes, seeing I was trustee, I thought I had a right. 

Joel. S'pose y' had, but it ain't hardly what I 'xpected. 
They was consid'able opposition to Dinsmore's comin' back. 

God. Yes, I know it — opposition from a few who had 
some personal spite. He's a good teacher, the best we have 
had here in years, and I don't think we ought to let petty 
opinions interfere with the advantages of the children. Dins- 
more may have been a trifle fast, but — well, at any rate, he 
is coming back. And I take it your friend Miss Gates isn't 
much sorry, is she, Millie ? 

Mil. No, she is very glad. She says we ought to give 
him another chance. They were very good friends before 
anything was said against him, and she hopes to help him 
do better. I think she is right, too. I don't believe in de- 
serting a friend, even when he is charged with something 
worse than being " a trifle fast." 

Lem. Stealing, for instance. Eh, Millie ? Not till they's 
some proof, anyway. 

Mil. No. And strong proof at that. 

(Godfrey stands up c. near exit; Joel behind counter ; Millie 
at end of counter, L. c, and Lem seated down l. Lem noiv 
7'ises and goes to c, looki?ig straight at Godfrey.) 

Lem. I guess you know what she's drivin' at, don't y', 
Mr. Godfrey ? She means Tom Skerrett, and she means to 
sland by him the way she ought t', and the way some of tho 
rest of us intend t' do, too. 



18 WILLOWDALE. 

God, {ignoring hi77i a?id speaking to M\i.-Lii£). I am sorry, 
if you misunderstand the part I have taken in this matter. 
I intended to do Mr. Skerrett a kindness in not making a 
charge against him. You know, I might have made him a 
great deal of trouble. 

Mil. {warmly). And do you pretend to think you haven't 
done so, as it is ? What do you call trouble, Mr. Godfrey ? 
He has been discharged because of your accusation, and 
people shun him as if he were really a thief. He has friends, 
though, who intend to stand by him and help prove his inno- 
cence, and I am one of them. 

Lem. Good for you, Millie — and I'm another. 

God. I wish you success. If he is innocent, it should be 
proven, by all means. {Going up c.) If I can be of any 
assistance, let me know. 

{He reaches c. d., a7id is about to exit, ivhen Tom Skerrett 

enters. They look at each other in sile?ice for an instant, Tom 

with suppressed anger, and Godfrey rather disdainfully. 

Kmally, the latter starts to go out.) 

Tom. Wait ! I have a word to say to you. 

God. {pausi?ig). Well ? 

Tom. I have tried to see you, several times, lately, and 
you have shunned me. You are always out when I call at 
your office, or pretend to be too busy to see me. Now that 
I have an opportunity — 

God. I beg to be excused. This is no place for a private 
conversation. If you have anything to say to me, come to 
my office. 

{He tries to go out, hut Tom gets in his way and compels him 
to rejuain) 

Tom. No. If you are afraid to face me, say so. I am 
quite willing Mr. Bassett and Millie and Lem Hackett should 
hear all I have to say, and if you refuse to listen, it is be- 
cause you are afraid to do so. 

God. Afraid ? Nonsense ! I am in a hurry, that's all. 
Come to my office. 

Tom. And find you out, as usual. No. You shall hear 
me here, and answer me, too. It's only fair. 

Joel. That's so, Mr. Godfrey. Hear what the boy has 
t' say. 



WILLOWDALE. 19 

(Godfrey disdains them altogether^ and again starts to go out. 
Tom draws back, as if fiot darijig to trust hi7nself to speak or 
act, and Millie hurries up and faces Godfrey, forcing 
him to 7'emain^ 

Mil. You shall listen, Mr. Godfrey — if not to him, 
to me ! 

Joel. Millie, Millie, child — don't ! 

Mil. I must, father ! He has wronged Tom, and he 
shall not refuse to give him fair treatment. (Lem goes up a?id 
persuades Joel to keep silence.) Mr. Godfrey, you have 
accused Tom Skerrett of opening a registered letter addressed 
to you and taking out forty dollars in money. What reasons 
have you for thinking that he did it ? What proof have you 
that he did .? 

God. Let him prove that he didn't. 

Mil. That is not the thing, just now. I asked you what 
proof you have that he opened your letter ? 

Lem. Come, Godfrey, be a man. If you can't — why, 
then be as much of a one as you can. 

God. Take care, sir ! I may have my patience tried too 
far and take you all at your word. 

Tom. Do ! We want all the proofs you have. I am 
not afraid to face any charge ycu may bring against me. I 
don't deny that a registered letter came for you on the day 
you say, nor that I took it from the bag and placed it in 
your hands. That is all I know about it. If it had been 
opened and the money taken out, it was entirely unknown 
to me. 

God. You also admit, I suppose, that I brought the letter 
back to you, after I had opened it and found the money miss- 
ing, and that I showed you plainly enough that it had been 
steamed open and sealed up again, very skillfully, but not 
well enough to prevent detection ? I did not say you did it, 
but the inference was plain enough. 

Lem. But there is nothing to prove, Mr. Godfrey, that 
the letter was not opened at the other end, or on its way here. 

God. Most improbable. It was mailed in Dover, only 
fifty miles from here, and the bag is never opened after it 
leaves there until it gets here. The postmaster at Dover 
distinctly remembers placing the letter in the. bag, and th^re 
i,s not the slightest ground to suspect him. 



20 WILLOWDALE. 

Tom. And yet you suspect me, with no more proof than 
that the postmaster at Dover was as guihy as I ? 

God. The case is plain enough. If I am willing to let 
the matter drop, it seems to me you ought to be glad to do so. 

Tom. While the suspicion of bein^ a thief hangs over 
me ? No, never ! If the money was in the letter, and was 
not taken out until it got here, then there is a conspiracy 
against me, and — 

God. Conspiracy ? Do you accuse me of — 

{They approach each other threatenmgJ}\ as if about to come 

to l?l02VS.) 

Mil. (runnifig bet^ueen the7?i). No, no, Tom, don't! 

(Mrs. Bassett ejiters l., ift time to see the above ; she stands an 
instant looking on. Joel has come out fro7n behind coimter 
and adi'anced to R. c. ; Lem is down l. There is a short 
pause, before Mrs. Bassett comes doiim.) 

Mrs. B. What's this ? Tom Skerrett, you leave this 
store ! What do you mean by coming here, where you know 
you ain't wanted ? 

{The others draw back, and Mrs. Bassett and Tom are c.) 

Tom. I'm not so sure I am not wanted, Mrs. Bassett. 
Because you don't want me is no sign I am without friends 
here. 

Mrs. B. What do you mean ? If you think Millie 
Bassett is goin' t' have anything to do with you — 

Mil. (comiftg down and speaking bravely, though ivith evident 
ne?'vous?iess). I am, mother ! I mean to stand by Tom ! 

Mrs. B. What ? You disobey me, when I have told you 
never to see him or speak to him again ? We'll see about 
that. You go in the house and stay there. We'll see 
whether you'll do as I say 'r not. 

Mil. No, mother, I can't. I — 

Mrs. B. How dare you talk back to me ? Go t' your 
room, I say ! 

Mil. (ygoing to Joel, as if for protection ; he puts his ar?n 
aroufid hery Father ! 

Mrs. B. Joel Bassett, don't you dast t' encourage her t' 
go ag'inst what I say. If you do -— 



U'lLLOWDALE. 2l 

Joel. But, mother — don't you think you are a little too 
hard? 

Mrs. B. I know my business, and you know I mean what 
I say. {To Millie.) Go in there ! {Pohithig l.; to Tom.) 
Now, you leave this store ! 

Lem. Hold on. Mis' Bassett. This a public place, and 
he has as much right here as anybuddy. 

Mrs. B. This is our store, and he'll go if I say so. If he 
won't f'r me, mebbe he will f'r my husband. Joel, you tell 
him he can't stay here, 'r come int' this place ag'in. 

Joel {comi?ig down). M'm — wal, y' see, mother, this is 
the post-office, 'n' I guess 'most any buddy's got a right 
t' come in here. It ain't f'r you n'r me t' f'rbid 'em. 

Lem. That's right, Joel. Ain't it, Mr. Godfrey ? 

God. I have nothing to say. This is not my affair. 

Lem. Oh, it ain't? Wal, seems t' me you've got con- 
sid'able t' do with it. 

Mrs. B. If you've got any pride, Tom Skerrett, you 
won't come where y' know y' ain't wanted. And as f'r you 
and Millie, you'd better git that idee out of y'r head at once. 
She'll never marry you if I have t' lock her up in the garret 
and keep her there. 

Joel. Mother ! (Millie is weeping^) 

Tom. That's the kind of thing you are hard and cruel 
enough to do, Mrs. Bassett, but you won't do it, for all that. 
{He goes to Millie, puts his arm about her, a?id she cries on 
his shoulder.) 

(Mrs. Bassett starts toward them, as if to force them apart, 
when Mis' Hazey enters l., a7id all the others sta?id back and 
watch her. She at first seems utterly oblivious of their pres- 
ence, a7td with a vacant stare goes to c, ivith uplifted head 
and a haughty manner, trying to assu?ne the airs of a grand 
lady.) 

Mis' Hazey. Where is the Dook ? Is he not here ? He 
was to meet me here, in the conservatory, at ten o'clock. 
Listen! {Waving her hand lightly toward r.) The music 
from the ballroom ! I was the belle of the ball. How they 
all looked at me, how they admired my beauty and this lovely 
dress and these priceless jewels ! Ah, 'tis he ! {Listens in- 
te7itly ; then with a disappointed torn.) No, it is that villainous 



22 WlLLOWDALfi. 

Baron, who seeks to marry me against my will ! Go away ! 
I hate you ! I hate you! {Glarhig at Godfrey, who is r.) 
You ! you are the Baron ! ( With a commanding gesture^ Go ! 
Go, I say ! I loath and detest you ! It is the Dook I love. 
Go, or I will kill you ! kill you ! {She rushes toivard Godfrey, 
but suddenly falls back, as if regaining her senses. Mrs. Bas- 
SETT has started toward her, followed by Lem Hackett, but they 
draw back as Mis' Hazey's tnood changes. She looks about 
piteously, cowering as if in fright, her form quivering, her hands 
trembling, and her voice 7uaili?ig piteously.) Oh ! oh ! my poor 
husband ! he's dead, he's dead ! See ! there's my little Rob- 
bie, my baby — he's dead, too ! Both dead ! Don't let them 
take them away from me. No, no, I want them, I want 
them ! Don't let them cover them up in the ground. Oh, 
my husband ! my Robbie, my baby boy ! 

Mrs. B. Poor thing, she's livin' it all over ag'in. 

(Joel has brought a chair to c. ; they place Mis' Hazey in it, 
and she sits betit over, moving back and forth, weeping and 
crying out.) 

Mil. Oh, how sad ! {Going to her and kneeling by her 
side?) There, there, Mrs. Hazey, don't. It is all right. 
Mrs. B. You go away. I will see to her. 

(Millie rises and goes back to r. c. Oleander has entered l., 
and stands looking on, giggling a?id stuffing her apron into 
her mouth. Mrs. Bassett helps Mis' Hazey to rise ; the 
latter suddenly straighte?is up, looks about her for a moment, 
as if dazed, then seems to come to her full senses. She glares 
at the others, then tosses her head and hurriedly exits c. d., 
without looking back. The others look after her in silence^ 

Joel Wal, if that don't beat all ! 

Mrs. B. She's all right now. It's jest one of her spells. 
She has 'em every once in a while. {To Oleander.) Stop 
your gigglin' 'n' go on in there. I guess they's enough fer 
you to do. (Oleander smothers a giggle and starts to go out 
l., but li?igers and looks on during the followiiig sce?ie.) Now, 
Millie Bassett, you come with me. It's time we had an 
understandin'. {She starts l., motioning Millie to follow her, 
but the latter advances to C, where she stands and speaks with a 
show of defiance^ though not ifisolently.) 



WlLLOWDALfi. 23 

Mil. Yes, mother, it is. It is time you understood that 
I love Tom and intend to be his wife. 

Mrs. B. You — 

Tom {gomg and putting his ar7n about Millie). Yes, Mrs. 
Bassett, she has promised to do me that honor. 

Mrs. B. Honor ! Honor, and you a thief ! I call it — 

Tom. Stop, Mrs. Bassett ! I will stand much, and for- 
give you much, for Millie's sake, but you have no right to 
call me such a thing as that. I am not a thief, I am an 
honest man, and as sure as there is a just God in heaven, I 
will prove it yet, to you and to everybody, and when I do, 
then — and not until then shall I make your daughter my wife 1 

(Tom and Millie statid c, his arm still about he?', she leaning 
conjidingly against hi?n, both facing Mrs. Bassett bravely. 
Mrs, Bassett glares at them, in suppressed rage. Joel has 
started down c, looking scared, but pleased ; Lem Hackett, 
R., laughing to himself gleefully ; Godfrey up r., with an 
expression minglijig fear and scorn, and Oleander extreme 
L., with her apron over her inouth, still giggling.) 

CURTAIN. 



24 WlLLOWDALi^. 



ACT II. 

SCENE. — The sitting-room of the Bassett house, the next 
week. It is about eight o'clock in the evenmg. The roo7n is 
plai?ily and neatly furnished, after the tnanner of a typical 
country house ; rag carpet, hair-cloth fnrniture, a table down 
L., with a few books, an albu?n, etc. ; several cheap chromos 
and other pictures, family portraits, etc., on wall. Small 
cabifiet organ, or melodeon up R. Mrs. Bassett is discovered 
seated -L., watching Oleander, 7vho is placing furniture and 
arranging articles. 

Mrs. B. Put that chair ag'inst the wall over there. {Point- 
ifig 7ip R.) Not crooked like that — straight up ag'inst 
the wall. Turn that one around the other way. Fix 
the things on the table. Put the album on the other side, 
and the Bible where it'll show more, I guess we want the 
Bible in plain sight when we're goin' t' have a church sociable 
for the benefit of the heathen. Heathen ! H'm ! I guess 
a few of 'em '11 be here t'night. (Oleander, who is following 
directions, sjiickers) Stop y'r gigglin' ! You're one of 'em, 
and the worst of the lot. 

Ole. Yes, ma'am, I know it 

Mrs. B. Oh, you do? Then why don't you try t' be 
better, 'n' not act 's if you'd jest come off a Feejee island, 
'r some sech place ? 

Ole. Yes, ma'am, I will. {Giggling) 

Mrs. B. Then b'gin now, by stoppin' that gigglin', 'n' see 
't you b'have y'rself t'night when the folks 'r' all here. Come 
here till I look at y'. (Oleander goes to her, and turns 
around for ijispection!) I guess you'll do. You ought t' be 
thankful t' have a nice dress like that. What if we hadn't 
took y' t' take care of ? 

Ole. I d' know. 'Spect I'd 'a' had it tougher yet up t' 
that poorhouse. 

Mrs. B. I guess you would. 

Ole. I'm goin' t' stay here till I get growed up to a 
woman and get married. {Giggling.) Yes, ma'am — to a 
perfectly grand man, with whiskers under his nose, stickin' 



VVILLOWDALE. 25 

'way out like this, 'n' with a horse 'n' carriage of his own, 'n' 

a gold watch with a long gold chain, and wavy hair, 'n' 

Mrs. B. Good land ! what be you talkin' about ? You're 
jest like Mis' Hazey. Now you go 'n the kitchen 'n' see 'f 
everything's all right. It's about time folks b'gun t' come. 

(Oleander goes l. ; s/ie is about to exit ivken Millie enters l., 
and she pauses to listen.) 

Mrs. B. (to Millie). Oh, it's you, is it? Got over 
mopin' ? 

Mil. I have not been moping, mother. I don't see how 
you can blame me for being sad, after all I have gone 
through. 

Mrs. B. (rising ; Millie, l. c. ; Mrs. Bassett, c). I want 
you t' understand you ain't gone through nothin' compared 
t' what y' will, 'f you're goin' t' be so stubborn 'n' go ag'inst 
your pa's and my wishes. It won't do no good. You've 
got t' do as we say. 

Mil. As you say, you mean. Father never will' insist 
upon my marrying a man I don't like, just because he has 
property. 

Mrs. B. Your father will do as I say, and you will do as 
he says. We'll see whether you're goin' t' stick up f'r that 
worthless Tom Skerrett, after what he's done — 

Mil. After what he has been accused of doing. Re- 
member, it has not been proved against him, and it never can 
be. If it hadn't been for you, he wouldn't be in such trouble 
now, and you* are doing it just to separate us, but you shan't 
— - you shan't ! (S/ie breaks do7vn and weeps.) 

Mrs. B. That's right, cry ! But you won't move me. 
I know what's f'r y'r own good, 'n' I mean t' have my way. 
Mr. Godfrey means well by y'. He loves y', 'n' he's asked 
if we'll let him have y' f'r his wife. Do you think I'm goin' 
t' let y' lose sech a chance ? No, sir ! (Efiter Joel, r.) You'll 
either say " yes " to him, 'r you'll get out of this house ! 

Joel. Oh, mother ! 

(Millie rwis to him, and buries her head on his shoulder^ 
weeping^ 

Mrs. B. Oh, you heard what I said, did y' ? Wal, it's 



23 WILLOWDALE. 

jest as well. 'N' I mean t' stick to it, too, 'n' you'll bear me 
out in it. 

Joel. No, mother, I won't ! This little gal don't love 
Mr. Godfrey; she loves Tom Skerrett, and even if she can't 
marry Tom, she shan't be made t' have the one she don't 
want. 

Mrs. B. We'll see. You'd better not have too much t' 
say, Joel Bassett. I ain't askin' you yet what t' do 'r how 
t' do it. 

Mil. {look'mg up and speaking rather t'miidly at first ^ then 
gainiiig courage and facing Mrs. Bassett bravely). No, but 
you are asking me to do something which would break my 
heart and ruin my life. You are asking me to marry a man 
I don't like, and make the one I love think I am mean and 
false. It is not right ; it is cruel — cruel — and you have no 
right to expect it. 

Mrs. B. No right, eh? {Going toward her angrily^ 
Then I'll take a right. You're goin' t' do as I say, or — 

Mil. (straighteni7ig up a7id faci?ig her defiafttly). Or what? 
You will beat me as you used to, as you would if I were a 
child again ? Well, you had better not try it. I am a 
woman now, not a child to submit to your cruelty, and I — I 
defy you ! I — {She breaks down a?id again goes to her father, 
who tries to comfort her.) 

Joel. There, there, dearie, don't you fret so. You go 
now and I'll see if mother and I can't hx it some way. {He 
leads her toward L., a?id she goes out sobbing. He comes back 
to c, aiidfor a 7?iome?tt assumes an air of bravery, as if he ifi- 
tends to assert himself ; but this attitude soon vanishes beneath 
Mrs. Bassett's o?islaught.) Now, mother, don't you think — 

Mrs. B. I think it's time you understood that I mean 
what I say. That girl's got t' have Joe Godfrey, or — well, 
you can imagine what. 

Joel {looking at her doubtfully, then co?ning to a realizing 
terror of what she means). Mother ! You wouldn't — you 
don't mean you would ever tell her — 

Mrs. B. I mean that you've got t' help me bring her to 
her senses 'n' do as I say, 'r I ain't goin' t' hold my tongue 
any longer. I'll tell her. 

Joel Not — not about ! — Oh, mother, not the secret ? 

Mrs. B. Yes, the secret. I've kept it eighteen years f'r 



WILLOWDALfi. ^7 

your sake, 'n' hers, but I guess the time has come when it 
can serve my purpose best by bem' told, I guess it would 
bring her to her senses quick enough, if she knew. 

Joel {in great terror, grasping his wife's ar7?i and abnos't 
kneeling to her). Oh, no ! — no! Don't tell her that. You 
won't tell her — you won't ! — will y' ? 

Mrs. B. Not if you do 's I say. I wan't t' see her well 
married off, 'n' Mr. Godfrey's a good match for her. If you 
had any pride you'd agree with me, 'n' she'll thank me f'r 
seein' what was f'r her own good, afterwards. You help me 
make her give up Tom Skerrett 'n' marry Mr. Godfrey, 'n' 
the secret's safe. If y' don't — {There is a knocking c. d.) 
There's some of 'em comin'. You remember what I say. 
{She goes to door and admits Rev. Mr. Prosser.) Good 
evenin', Mr. Prosser. Come right in. 

Mr. p. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Bassett. I 
thought I'd come early, so as to help receive the folks. I'm 
glad it's such a pleasant evening. 

Mrs. B. Yes, it's a lovely night. We ought t' have a 
good attendance. Let me take y'r hat. {He gives her his 
hat.) Come right in the best room. 

{She goes out r., folloived by Mr. Prosser. Joel stands c, 
and just as they disappear there is another k?iock c. d. He 
goes and admits Joe Godfrey and Clarence Dinsmore. 
He takes their hats.) 

Joel. Good evenin'. Come right in. Why, how d' do, 
Mr. Dinsmore ? So you've come back t' Willowdale, have y' ? 

Dinsmore {shaking hands with Joel). Yes, Mr. Bassett, 
back again, thanks to my friend Godfrey, here. Thought I'd 
come to the sociable to-night, so as to meet all the folks. 
I just arrived this afternoon. 

Joel. Wal, jest make y'rselves comf'table, 'n' I'll go 'n' 
tell Mis' Bassett you're here. They ain't nobuddy else 
arrived yet, but the minister. {Exit r.) 

God. You must make yourself especially agreeable this 
evening, Dinsmore, and try to win these people over. I 
have been considerably criticised for bringing you back to 
teach again this year, but — well, you know I wanted you. 

Dins. M'm — yes, I know. You knew I wanted to 
come, you mean to say, and that it was safer for you to fix 



28 WiLLOWDALIJ. 

it so I could. After our little transaction, it is hardly best 
for you to go much against my wishes, is it ? 

God. Oh, come, now, no threats. We're working to- 
gether, and my success means yours. 

Enter Mrs. Bassett, r. 

Mrs. B. • Good evenin'. {They reply politely^ Sorry t' 
keep y' waitin' s' long, but I had t' see t' something, and 
couldn't get away f'r a minute 'r two. Wal, Mr. Dinsmore, 
I didn't jest expect t' see you back here. 

Dins. No ? 

Mrs. B. No, I didn't. But I guess the attraction was 
too strong f'r y' t' stay away, wasn' it ? 

Dins, {pretending not to imderstand). Oh, yes, I like Wil- 
lowdale very much. 

Mrs. B. And one 'r two that's in it in p'tic'lar, I guess 
— one especially ; wal, Rosetta's a pretty gal, 'n' smart 
enough, too. 

God. You've hit it, Mrs. Bassett. 

Dins. But really, I — 

Mrs. B. Oh, you needn't bother t' deny it. I guess I 
know who's be'n writin' letters to her. (Godfrey laughs, 
Dinsmore looks some7vhat annoyed.) She'll be here t'-night, 
in all her glory. She's got a brand new dress t' wear. Miss 
Patchin told me she'd be'n makin' it. I don't see, f'r my 
part, how that girl's father c'n afford t' let her dress the way 
she does. But of course it ain't none o' my business. Looks 
as if it might be yours, though, some day, Mr. Dinsmore. 

Dins. Oh, it hasn't gone so far as that yet. 

Mrs. B. Of course not — yet. But they's time. Mr. 
Godfrey thinks of takin' a wife, too. Don't you, Mr. Godfrey ? 

God. Yes, indeed, very seriously, if I can get the one I 
want. 

Mrs. B. What do you think, Mr. Dinsmore ? he does us 
the honor t' want t' marry our Millie. He must love her, t' 
want her when she ain't got a thing but herself t' offer. 
Don't you think so ? 

Dins. Of course he does. Your daughter is a fortune in 
herself, and he's a lucky man if he wins her. 

God. Ah, I know that. And win her I must. 

Mrs. B. And you shall, Mr, Godfrey, trust me for that. 



WILLOWDALE. 29 

It won't take her long t' get the nonsense out of her head 
about Tom Skerrett, and t' make her see the honor you're 
a-doin' her. {There is a knocking c. d.) There, some more 
of the folks are comin'. You'll have t' excuse me. 

{They smile and look at each other knowingly, while she goes and 
ope7is door. Enter Rosetta QxKi:y.'&, followed by Mis' Hazey 
and several people. Mis' Hazey holds her head very high, 
seemi7ig not to see the others. They all stare at her, so7ne of 
them smiling.) 

Mis' Hazey {turning toward l., a?td speakiftg to an imagi- 
nary person). Go ! tell your brother that the Lady Olivia 
spurns his suit ! {Crossijig to l. with much dignity) Go, I 
say ! {Tmning and poi?iting with a commajiding gesture) 
Yes — yes — I laugh him to scorn! Ha, ha! Ha, ha! 
{She laughs hysterically, and, tossing head, exits l., hurriedly) 

Ros. She's the Lady Olivia Delaplaine, to-night. Isn't 
it funny ? 

Mrs. B. You all make y'rselves t' home, 'n' I'll go 'n' see 
to 'er. {Exit, l.) 

(Godfrey and Dinsmore are down r., Rosetta goes down to 
them ; the others reinain up stage, removi?ig their things, chat- 
tiftg together, etc.) 

Ros. How do you do, Mr. Dinsmore? I'm real glad to 
see you. 

Dins. Thanks. Glad is no name for it with me. I'm 
more than delighted to see you. 

Ros. Oh, Mr. Dinsmore, before all these people. Be 
careful. {He has approached her ferve?itly, as if about to kiss 
her. One or two of those up stage are watclwig the?n and nudge 
each other, smiling, pretending not to notice, as Rosetta and the 
two men look their way. Rosetta draws away from Dins- 
more, ejnbarrassed.) Ain't he awful, Mr. Godfrey ? 

God. He didn't notice them. Love is blind, you know, 
Miss Gates. 

Ros. Now, Mr. Godfrey ! 

Dins. Dear me, then I'm afraid Rosetta doesn't love me, 
Godfrey. She saw. 

Mnter Oleander, l. She pauses and looks at them, giggling ; 
they turn and look at her. 



30 VVILLOWDALE. 

Ros. Oh, It's Oleander. Nobody pays any attention to 
her. 

Dins. That so ? Not much Hke some girls, is she ? I 
know one I can't pay too much attention to. {Looks at her 
7?iea?imgly.) 

Ros. {drawing away). Oh, Mr. Dinsmore — see, they're 
watching us. 

Dins. Well, let them. They watch everything and every- 
body. 

Ole. {comi?ig dowfi to them and speaki7ig cojiJide?itially). Say 'f 
you go 'n the other room, y' might git a chance in there. 
Ain't nobuddy there, hardly. 

Dins. Well, I declare ! The girl isn't such a fool, after 
all. Come, Rosetta. {They go out, r., laughing. Oleander 
looks after them, gigg^i^g- The others co77ie down and Oleander 
retires up L.) 

A Woman. Did you notice Rosetty Gates fiirtin' with 
the school teacher ? 

Another Woman. I guess I did. Ain't it scand'lous ? 
He ain't the kind of a feller I'd want a girl o' mine t' have 
much t' do with. 

The First Woman. No, but good land ! She'd take up 
with anything that wore pants 'n' could raise a mustache. 
{She pronou7ices it " viush " tache.) 

Enter Mr. Prosser, r. 

Mr. p. Ah, good evening, brothers and sisters. I am 
glad to see so many of you here. {He shakes hands with 
differe7it 07ies.) This is an occasion when we must renew 
pleasant associations, and enjoy the fellowship of kindred 
minds. {He sees Godfrey, who is sta7idi7ig r.) Ah, Mr. 
Godfrey, how are you this evening ? 

God. Well, thank you, Mr. Prosser. Trying to raise 
some money for the heathen, are you ? 

Mr. p. Yes. Do you wdsh to contribute ? It would be 
appreciated. 

God. Nothing special, just now, I guess. Times are 
kind of hard. 

( The other people have hee7i up stage, some sitti7ig, soi7ie standi77g, 
(0nvcrsi7i^, looki7i^ at books, etc., payi7ig little atte7itio7i to 



WILLOWDALE. 31 

Mr. Prosser and Mr. Godfrey. Oleander has go?te up 
c, and now opens the door, and Tom Skerret walks i7i. 
JVone of the othe7's appear to see him. He looks at them a 
moment as if expectifig recognition, then turns away sadly and 
goes down to l. c. Mr. Prosser goes to him, extending his 
ha?id.) 

Mr. p. Good eveniog, Tom. I'm glad you came. 

(He turns to Vi., as if to call Godfrey's attention to Tom's 
presence, but Godfrey, with a cold glare at Tom, exits r.) 

Tom. You see how it is, Mr. Prosser. I came at your 
request, and because you convinced me that it was best to 
face them and show them that I am not afraid — that I have 
nothing to be ashamed of. But it is hard, very hard. 

Mr. p. Have courage, my boy. They will believe in you 
yet. You are innocent. I believe it, God knows it, and 
with his help, we will yet prove it to them all. 

Tom. I haven't lost faith yet, Mr. Prosser, nor hope. I 
can't believe but what right and justice must conquer in the 
end, but it's mighty hard waiting for the end to come. 

Mr. p. I know, my boy, I know it is ; but it may not be 
so far off as we think. 

{The people have all gone off to ^., except Oleander. She now 
comes do7Vfi.) 

Ole. I'd like t' skin every one of 'em, mean, stuck-up 
things ! 

Mr. p. My child ! 

Ole. Well, I would ! What right they got, snubbin' Tom 
here like that ? Guess you'd better give 'em some o' the 
proceeds o' this sociability, seein' it's fer the heathen. , 

Mr. p. Such talk does not sound well, I — 

Ole. No, the truth don't, sometimes. Heathen ? I 
guess you'd have t' give most o' the money t' that old skunk 
of a Godfrey — 

Mr. p. Stop ! I will not allow you to use such language. 
It is most disrespectful and shocking. {Exit r.) 

Tom: Never mind, Oleander. Don't get yourself into 
trouble taking my part. I appreciate it, of course, but it can't 
do any good, and, as Mr, Prosser says — it doesn't sound well, 



32 WILLOWDALE, 

Enter c. d., Lem Hackett a7id Simon Pinner. 

Lem. Hello, guess we're late. I stopped f'r Simon, 'n' it 
took him s' allfired long t' git ready — 

Sim. Wal, I didn't 'spect t' come, 'n' I had t' change m' 
clothes. Got on m' new suit. 

Ole. (^giggling). My ! ain't it scrumptious ? I bet it cost 
as much 's two dollars. 

Sim. Two dollars? I cal'late it did. It cost five-ninety- 
eight, 'n' at a bargain sale 't that. 

Tom. It looks very nice, Simon. 

Lem. That's what I told him. He's afraid he'll spill 
somethin' on it — ice cream 'r milk, 'r somethin'. 

Tom. Well, it isn't likely to be the milk of human kind- 
ness — here. 

Lem. Brr ! no. I reckon that's all froze up int' ice 
cream. Eh, Oleander ? 

Ole. Two kinds — lemon 'n' vanilla. It's bully, too. I 
turned the freezer — 'n' Mis' Bassett give me a taste. 
{Giggling}) 

Mrs. B. {falling loudly, ojfi.). Olean — der ! 

Ole. Gee ! she's callin' me now. I'll have t' go. {Exit l.) 

(Lem and Simon haije removed their hats, and laid them or 
himg the??! 7ip stage ; Simon now sits 2ip c, Tom and Lem 
are down front}) 

Lem. Well, Tom, how goes it ? 

Tom. None too well, Lem. They all cut me when I 
came in, except Mr. Prosser. They didn't seem to see me 
at all. I'm beginning to get used to it, but it doesn't get 
any easier to bear. 

Lem. Godfrey here ? 

Tom. Yes, and Clarence Dinsmore, too, I suppose. I 
heard he was in town, and of course he would come. He 
and Godfrey are pretty thick, you know. 

Lem. Yes, I know. I know they're in league together too, 
as Vv'ell's I want t'. I saw enough last winter t' convince me 
of that, 'n' I'm willin' t' bet Godirey never got him back here 
in the face of s' much opposition except f'r some purpose, 'r 
b'cause Dinsmore's got sech a hold on him that he had t'= 

To:»i. Why, Lem, what do you mean ? 



WTLLOWDALE. 33 

Lem. I mean I've got my eyes open, that's all, 'n' am 
doin' a little detective work on my own account, and yours. 

Tom. (^grasping his hand'). Lem ! 

Lem. Oh, I ain't found out much t' speak of, yet, but I 
smell a rat, 'n' I don't cal'ate t' let it git away from me, 
nuther. {Enter Millie, l.) There ! who's that ? 

Mil. Oh, Tom, I am so glad you came ! I was so afraid 
you wouldn't. 

{She has gone to him, and he takes loth he? hands in his and 
kisses her. \.ws\ prete?ids not to see., goes up and takes hold of 
Simon, and leads him oJfK.) 

Tom. I didn't intend to come, at first ; but Mr. Prosser 
thought it would be best, and I am not entirely without 
friends here. I have you, and — {looking about) and Lem — 
why, where is he ? He's gone. 

Mil. Yes, he and Mr. Pinner v/ent in the other room. I 
guess they knew we would like to be alone. 

Tom. We don't get much chance now-a-days, do we ? I 
don't suppose I ought to have come to-night, Millie. Your 
mother won't like it, but I felt as if to stay away would be to 
admit that I was afraid, and I am not. 

Mil. Of course not, Tom, and it w^as the very best thing 
to do. I don't know what to do about mother. She is 
Avorse than ever, lately, and she — she threatened to turn me 
away from home if I didn't give you up and accept Mr. 
Godfrey. 

Tom. Oh, she never could do that. She wouldn't ! 

Mil. I don't know, Tom. You don't know how cruel 
she can be. And she seems to be winning father over to 
her side, too, or compelling him to do as she says. I don't 
see why Mr. Godfrey wants to marry me. I don't believe he 
he loves me. 

Tom. That wouldn't be hard, dear, for anybody, but I 
agree with you that it doesn't seem likely in his case. Still, 
I don't see any other reason wdiy he should seek to marry 
you. Perhaps you'd better not say too much against it, just 
yet, and we'll see what turns up. I hope to be able to 
prove my innocence before long, and then we can defy them. 

Mil. But I can't pretend to accept him. ^ 

Tom. Oh, no, that isn't necessary. Only don't be too 
rebellious, and trust to me. 



34 WILLOWDALE. 

Mil. I will, Tom. 

Tom. Brave little woman. 

(^He kisses her, and Just as he does so Oleander appears L. 
Tliey pay no atte?ition to her.) 

Ole. {giggling). That's right, don't mind me; but you'd 
better be careful, 'cause the ogre-ess is comin'. She'll eat y' 
both up, if she ketches y' doin' that. 

Mil. Come on, Tom, let us go and take a walk. It's 
real pleasant out, and I don't feel like staying here with all 
these people. 

Tom. We will. {27iey go to c. d.) Oleander won't tell 
on us, will you. Oleander ? 

Ole. Guess I won't. (Gigg/ing.) Don't ketch me tellin' 
on no lovers. Might git told on m'self. 

(£xit Tom and Millie, c. d. Oleander stands watching 
them, giggling. Enter Mrs. Bassett, l. ; she goes to 
Oleander a?id takes hold of her^ 

Mrs. B. What you doin' here ? I told you t' stay in the 
kitchen. 

Ole. Nothin'. All right, I will. {Starts l.) 

Mrs. B. Wait a minute. Who was that you was talkin' 
to, jest as I come in ? 

Ole. Nobuddy. 

Mrs. B. They was too. I heard 'em. Who was it ? 

Ole. Oh, I guess it was some of the comp'ny. I didn't 
notice. 

Mrs. B. Don't you lie t' me. You go 'n the kitchen 'n' 
git the things ready for the refreshments. It'll soon be time 
to serve 'em. {Exit Oleander, l.) She was lyin,' I know, 
but they ain't no use tryin' t' do anything with her. {She 
goes up a?td looks off Q. d.) Jest as I thought. It was Millie, 
with Tom Skerrett. {Ejiter Joel, r.) Oh, it's you, is it? 
See here. There goes Millie and Tom Skerrett out there. 
He's had the cheek t' come here, and in spite of all I've 
said, she's took up with him agin. I want you t' go after 
her 'n' tell her t' come right in here. As for Tom Skerrett, 
you know what you can tell him, 

Joel. I don't think I c'n go, mother. 



M^ILLOWDALE. 35 

Mrs. B. Don't think you c'n go ? Well, I guess you can, 
'n' pretty quick, too. 

Joel. I ain't goin' t' have nothin' t' do with it. 

Mrs. B. You ain't, eh ? Then you can suffer the con- 
sequences. I'll go, 'n' if I do, you'll wish it 'd be'n you. 
{She starts to go out^ but he bars her way.) 

Joel. I — wal, I'll go, if you insist, mother, but — 

Mrs. B. Oh, you will ? I thought you'd change y'r tune. 
Don't you dast t' come back here without her, neither. 

Joel {about to go out). Oh, mother, I wish you wa'n't 
quite s' hard — 

Mrs. B. 'N' I wish you wa'n't quite s' soft. Hurry up, 
'r I'll go. 

{He goes out c ; she goes l., and is about to exit when Rosetta 
Gates enters, r.) 

Rose. Oh, Mrs. Bassett, where's Millie ? We're going 
to play some games, and we want her. 

Mrs. B. She'll be here 'n a minute. Her pa's gone 
after her, out there with Tom Skerrett. 

Rose. Oh, Mrs. Bassett, you don't really believe what 
they say about Tom, do you ? 

Mrs. B. Believe it ? Of course I do. You ain't got 
nothin' 't say in his defense, have you ? 

Rose. Yes, I have. I don't believe Tom is a thief. I'd 
much sooner believe it was Mr. Godfrey himself. 

Mrs. B. Well, I declare ! You'd better tell him that. 

Rose. I don't know but I would, if I had a good chance. 
Folks toady to him and are afraid to say '' boo ! " to him, 
just because he's got more money than anybody else. For 
my part, I detest him, and it wouldn't take much to make 
me tell him so. 

Mrs. B. Well, you don't seem t' detest his friend Mr. 
Dinsmore, very much, from the way you're carryin' on with 
him. 

'. Rose. Carrying on ? I don't know what you mean. 
r Mrs. B. Then I'll tell y'. Flirtin', that's what, 'n' gett'n' 
y'rself talked about. I guess your folks must be blind, t' let 
y' have anything t' do with him. 

Rose. My folks know they can trust me, Mrs. Bassett. 
And they are not cruel enough to make me marry a man I 
don't like. 



do "WILLOWDALE. 

Mrs. B. I guess if they was a little more like some 
parents, though, you would have more respect f'r y'r elders, 
'n' not be quite so meddlin' 'n' sassy. I guess if you was my 
girl, you wouldn't be quite s' flighty. (^Exits l.) 

(RosETTA looks after her a moment, then goes up and looks off 
C. After a slight pause she goes out c, and just as she disap- 
pears, Godfrey and Dinsmore enter, r.) 

God. It's a relief to get away from those stupid, ignorant 
people. What a bore these country entertainm.ents are, any 
way. 

Dins. Yes, when the right one isn't present. It seems 
both our charmers have fled. Suppose we look them up. 
(^Efiter L., Mis' Hazey, unnoticed. She is in one of her sa7ier 
moods, cmd appears to understand ivhat the men are sayi?ig, as 
she goes to back of stage, where she remains by door, listening 
ifitently.) But, let them go. It isn't my way to force myself 
upon a girl, the way you are doing. If she doesn't want me, 
I don't want her. 

God. That's all right when there's nothing but the girl 
to consider, but where there's a fortune to come with her, it 
is quite a different matter. You know well enough how it is 
with me. 

Dins. Yes ; you don't care a snap for Millie Bassett her- 
self. Of course, you've got to have some excuse for wanting 
to marry her, so you pretend to be madly in love with her, 
and that silly mother of hers favors you because you're the 
big man of the village, and are supposed to have a lot of 
money. It's a good thing she doesn't know you are on the 
verge of financial ruin, and that her daughter is your only 
hope. I'm afraid your chances are rather dubious, though. 

God. Oh, I don't know. I reckon the other fellow's are 
about as dubious. 

(Mis' Hazey has shown a dawnijig intelligence of what she is 
hearing, and noiv hastens out c, returning at o?ice with 
RosETTA Gates, motio?iing her to be sile?tt, a?id pointing to 
the two men. They both listen ; Rosetta, as the scheme be- 
comes clear to her, barely being able to refrain fro?n burstijig 
out in i?idignation.) 

Dins. I'm not so sure of that. The young lady seems 



WILLOWDALE. 37 

inclined to have something to say about it, and, as for Tom 
Skerrett, he isn't downed quite so easily as you hoped, either. 

God. You're too impatient. We have succeeded in get- 
ting him discharged and branded as a thief. That registered 
letter scheme worked like a charm, didn't it ? 

Dins. I'm glad if you think so, but I'm not through feel- 
ing rather shaky, yet. Of course, I sent you the letter, you 
opened it, sealed it up again, and have made a good many 
people believe that Skerrett did it, but I shouldn't want to 
be in your boots if they tried to make you prove it. 

God. Well, the results are worth the risk, if I succeed in 
parting the young couple and winning the girl. 

Dins. You'd better hurry up and marry her, before any 
of them find out about the money. Great streak of luck, 
wasn't it, your getting that affair into your own hands so 
nicely ? 

God. I should say so, if it only comes out as I hope it 
will. {He tur?is, and Rosetta pulls Mis' Hazey out of the 
door, barely in time to escape detection') By the way, it's none 
too safe talking our private business over here* Somebody 
might hear us, and then — 

Dins. They're all in there gossiping, or out-of-doors some- 
wheres. Of course, it wouldn't do to let it get out, though. 
The old man may live for months yet. My ! won't there be 
some excitement around here, though, when it is found out 
that the little country maiden is a great heiress ? Let me 
see, how much is it ? 

God. Oh, something like fifty thousand dollars. I tell you, 
I've got to have it. Folks around here don't know that my 
place is mortgaged, and I am in danger of losing all I've got. 
They think I'm rich. That girl and her money are my only 
salvation. 

Dins. Well, I must say, I wouldn't want a wife who was 
forced into marrying me when she loved another man. 

God. It's worth it, and I'll soon cure her of that nonsense 
about Tom Skerrett, once she's my wife. Anyhow, if I get 
control of the money, what do I care ? 

Enter Simon Pinner, r. 

Sim. Say, you two'd better be go'n' in there, 'f y' want 
any 'freshments. They'll have 'em all et up. 



38 AVILLOWDALE. 

Dins. That's so, Simon. Much obliged. We'll go 
right in. {Going r.) 

God. {foUowifig). Oh, I guess they won't forget us. They 
know which side their bread is buttered on. 

Sim. 'Tain't bread 'n' butter; 's ice cream 'n' cake — 
good, too. {Exeunt Dinsmore and Godfrey, r.) Huh ! 
that Godfrey thinks he's the hull thing. I'd like t' see him 
took down a peg 'r two. {Enter Rosetta Gates, c. d.) 
Hello, Rosetty. Had your ice cream, yet ? 

Ros. No, Mr. Pinner, and I don't care whether I have 
any or not. I have something else to think about. Is Lem 
Hackett in there ? 

Sim. Guess he is ; was, jest a minute ago. 

Ros. Well, would you just as soon go in and tell him to 
come out here ? I want to see him a minute. 

Sim. All right, I'll .tell 'im. Mebbe they'll f'rgit 'n' give 
me another dish of ice cream. {Going r.) 

Ros. You may have mine. Just tell them I said so. 
I'm too excited to eat anything. 

Sim. Be y'^* What y' 'xcited about ? Anything happened ? 

Ros. Well, not much — yet; but I shouldn't wonder if 
something did happen, before long ; something that will 
surprise people, too. 

Sim. Y' don't say ? Wal, now, I wonder what it is. It'll 
s'prise me 'f I git another dish of ice cream. {Exit r.) 

E7iter Mis' Hazey, c. d. 

Ros. Oh, Mis' Hazey, try and not say anything about 
what you overheard, won't you ? 

Mis' Hazey. Where's the Baron ? It is my money he is 
after — only my money ! my money. 

Ros. Of course it is, that's everything he wants ; but if 
you are to outwit him, you mustn't let him know that you 
suspect such a thing. 

Mis' H. No, no, he mustn't know. He said " a fortune 
to come with her," and he meant me, of course. They said 
something about Millie Bassett, but she hasn't got a fortune. 
It's me he's after — me! But we'll outwit him, won't we, 
Rosetty ? 

Ros. Yes, yes, if you are only careful and don't say any- 
thing. {Efiter Lem. Hackett, r.) 



WILLOWDALE. 39 

Lem. Simon said you wanted to see me, Rosetta. 

Ros. Yes, Lem, I do. I hope I didn't take you away 
from your ice cream ? 

Lem. No, indeed ; I brung it with me. Swallered it hull. 
Y' don't cheat me out o' no ice cream. Wal, here I am. 
What's up ? 

Ros. Lots, Lem, if you want to help Tom and Millie out 
of their trouble. 

Lem. Help 'em ? Guess I do. Jest tell me how. Found 
out anything ? 

Ros. Well, I've got an idea that I have. I can't quite 
straighten it out, and I want your help. 

Lem. 'N' you can have it, you bet ! 

Ros. Well, come out in the orchard, and we'll talk it over. 

Lem. What about Mis' Hazy, here ? 

Ros. Well, we'll have to take her along, so as to keep 
an eye on her. She's the one who put me on the scent, and 
she knows enough to spoil it all if she should say anything, 
so we'll have to watch her. Come on. {Exit, c. d.) 

Lem. Come along. Mis' Hazey ; we'll take a little walk. 
I'll be your beau. 

Mis' H. Yes, I'll go with you, b'cause I know you'll pro- 
tect me from that wicked Baron. He wants to marry me for 
my money, and I'm afraid he will carry me off. Come, let 
us fly ! \Taki7ig hold of him.) 

Lem {as she pulls him toward door). Fly ? Say, hold on 
there, I ain't got m' wings yet, but I guess you're a " bird," 
all right. {She hurries out, pulling him after her) 

{Enter Mrs. Bassett, l. She goes up and looks out c. d., 
then to R., and looks off; finally goes L. and calls.) 

Mrs. B. Oleander ! Olean — der ! 

Ole. {off I..). Yes, ma'am. You want me? 

Mrs. B. Yes, I do. You come here. 

{Enter Oleander, l.) 

Mrs. B. I want you t' go in the other room there, 'n' 
tell Mr. Godfrey t' come out here. Hurry up, too, b'fore 
somebuddy else comes. I want t' speak t' him alone. 

Ole. Yes, ma'am. {Exit r.) 

Mrs. B. I'm goin' t' bring things to a head t'night. The 



40 WILLOWDALE. 

longer I wait, the more stubborn she gets, 'n' she's got t' give 
in. {Enter Godfrey, r.) I wanted t' see you a minute, Mr. 
Godfrey. 

God. Well, here I am. Got some good news for me ? 

Mrs. B. I hope it is. You said you wanted t' marry my 
daughter, didn't you ? 

God. It's the fondest wish of my heart. 

Mrs. B. Well, Mr. Godfrey, it's an honor I appreciate, 
even if she don't, 'n,' if you're willin' t' take her as she is, 
contrary, 'n' pertendin' she don't want you, but somebuddy 
else, you can have her. Oh, she'll consent. And she'll be 
thankful she did, afterwards. 

God. I feel sure of that, Mrs. Bassett. 

Mrs. B.. Why, she ought to be as happy as a queen, 'n' 
she will be after a little while. But, M'hat I wanted t' say 
was, if you want me t', I'll tell everybuddy here to-night that 
you're engaged. It'll be a good chance t' settle for good 'n' 
all. 

God. An excellent plan, Mrs. Bassett, and nothing could 
make me happier. 

Mrs. B. Then I'll fix it. Oh, you needn't look so dubi- 
ous. Her pa and I have got something t' say yet, 'n' she 
won't stand out ag'inst us both. {Voices off, k.) There, they're 
comin' in here now, so you leave it t' me. It'll be all settled 
b'fore you leave here t'night, and the wedding can take place 
jest as soon as you say. 

{E?ifer R., Mr. Prosser, folhnved by Simon Pinner, and the 
other guests. Mrs. Bassett is l. ; Godfrey, l. c. ; JNIr. 
Prosser, r., and Simon and the othei's up stage, some sitting, 
a7id some standing alwut.) 

Mr. p. We thought, Mrs. Bassett, that seeing we had 
had our refreshments, we would now proceed to the enter- 
tainment which has been provided. I believe the choir has 
consented to sing an anthem for us. 

Sim. I don't see the leader here. We can't do it without 
him. 

Mr. p. Anybody know where ]\Ir. Hackett is.? 

{Enter Oleander, r.) 
Mrs. B. Oleander, d' you knoY\^ where Lem Hackett is .? 



WILLOAVDALE. 41 

Ole. I see him goin' towards the orchard with Rosetty 
Gates, a few minutes ago. 

Mrs. B. Wal, you go 'n' find him, 'n' tell him he's wanted 
here t' lead the choir in their anthum. 

Dins. Permit me to go. (Oleander has started, but re- 
mains, as Dinsmore hurries out c. d.) 

Ole. {giggling). That started him. He's jealous b'cause 
I said Lem Hackett was with Rosetta. 

Mrs. B. Oleander, you tend t' y'r own affairs. Stop y'r 
gigglin' ! 

Mr. p. Well, I guess we shall have to postpone the sing- 
ing for a few minutes. Has anyone else anything to offer ? 

Ole. I know a piece. {Giggksi) 

Mr. p. Very well. We will hsten to a recitation by 
Miss Oleander. 

Ole. It ain't a recitation, it's jest a piece I learned for 
the school exhibition. {She giggles again, and Mrs. Bassett 
pinches her arjn.) Ouch ! 

Mrs. B. Wal, stop y'r gigglin', then, and b'have y'rself. 
If y'r goin' t' speak that piece, try t' keep y'r face straight, 
'n' do it decent. 

(77/6' others seat themselves about stage, while Oleander goes to 
R. c, iJiakes an awkward bow and recites a childish selection 
in a hesitating, schoolgirl fashion, almost breaking down in 
places, starting over again, etc., but at last gaining confidence 
and giving the last few lines with considerable of a flourish. 
The people have listened patie7itly, one or t7vo shoiviv.g some 
amusement, but at the end applauding vociferously. If desired, 
othe?'s of the company 7nay sing or recite. It should all be in 
an uncouth, countiy style, intended only to make fun for the 
audience. When there is a pause, Lem Hackett enters c.d.) 

Lem. Want me, do you ? 

Sim. Yes, Lem, it's timef'r th' anthum. {He has procure. I 
the books which he now gives to those composi7ig the choir. Oiie 
of the wo7nen plays the 07'ga7i, and the '^ choir''' si7igs an old- 
fashioned church a7ithe77i, Lem Hackett leadi7ig with a7i air 
of i77ip07'taiice. The si/iging should be so77iewhat fnuiy, i}i i77ii- 
tatioii of a cou7it7y choir, but 7iot too 7?iuch of a burlesque. 
Durijig the si/igi7ig, Rosetta Gates, Mis' Hazey, a7ul 
Dinsmore mtery c. d.^ a7id listen. Just as the si7ip7i^ is 



42 WILLOWDALE. 

finished, Millie enters c. d., and stands up c. Mrs. Bassett 
sees her, and unnoticed by the others goes up and whispers to her, 
7vith a determined air. Millie looks frightened, starts to re- 
monstrate, but is sile?iced by the stern look of her mother, who 
noiv goes do7vn to c.) 

Mrs. B. Now, friends, before you go home, I have some- 
thing to tell you all. It's something I'm proud t' tell y', for 
it concerns my daughter and her future. (^She stands l. c, 
Godfrey is r., Joel, r, c, somewhat back, and the others 
grouped r. and l. at the back, with Millie prominent c, well 
up.^ I want to announce that she is engaged to be married 
to — 

Joel {stepping forward). Mother ! 

Enter Tom Skerrett, c. ; he stands back, unnoticed by all ex- 
cept Millie. She casts afrightejied, beseechifig glance at him, 
but does not stir. Mrs. Bassett glares at Joel, and he draws 
back luithout saying more. 

Mrs. B. Yes, I have the honor to announce that Millie 
Bassett has accepted one well known to you all, and I an- 
nounce that she is engaged to be married to — 

(Godfrey has advanced slightly toward c, with a pleased, ex- 
pectant air ; Millie has also co77ie dow?i o.. part way, at first 
showing no resistance ; all the others look very much interested 
in what is ti'anspiring. fust as Mrs. Bassett says ^' to be 
married to — " Millie turns toward Tom, ivho comes down. 
She goes to him a?id finishes Mrs. Bassett's sentence in a 
clear, firm voice?) 

MrL. To Tom Skerrett ! 

(To^iputs his arm about Millie a?id they face Mrs. Bassett 
boldly ; she falls back, too sutprised and enraged to speak. 
Joel looks incredulous, but joyful, Godfrey crestfallen ; Ros- 
ETTA Gates beams with satisfaction ; Oleander giggles, and 
all the others seem ove/'come with surprise, with the exception 
of Mis' Hazey, who approaches Godfrey and points at him 
with a gesture of scorn a?id exultation. Tableau.) 

CURTAIN. 



WILLOWDALE. 43 



ACT III. 



SCENE. — Same as Act II, one month later. It is about eight 
o'clock in the eve?iing. Oleander, /;/ her best dress, is dis- 
covered arranging flowers in a vase on mantel or stand. She 
is in an tmiisiially sober mood. After a pause there is a 
knock c. D. She goes and opens door, ad??iitting Simon 
Pinner. He is '' dressed up,'^ aiid carries a package.) 

Ole. Good evenin', Mr. Pinner. You come early, didn't 
y'? 

Sim. Guess I did, ruther. Didn't want t' miss nothin', y^ 
know. Don't git asked to a wedd'n' ev'ry day. Here's my 
present. 

Ole. {taking package) . Shall I undo it? 

Sim. Yes. See 'f you think she'll like it. (Oleander 
removes paper, disclosi?ig a large wooden spoon and a ladle.) Y' 
see, I whittled 'em out m'self. 

Ole. Of course she'll like 'em, then. I'll put 'em with 
the other things here on the table. 

(^She goes up r., whei'e a table is covered with an assortment of 
the gifts usually seen at a cou?itry wedding. There are S07ne 
vases ^ a small clock, picture frames, numei'ous dishes, etc., etc.) ■ 

Sim. {surveying articles on table). Got a lot o' nice things, 
ain't she ? 

Ole. Yes, but land ! that ain't all of 'em. They's a lot 
more bigger things in the other room. {There is another 
knock 071 c. D. Oleander ope?is i't and Rosetta Gates enters^ 

Ros. I guess I'm early, but I couldn't wait. I was too 
excited to stay away another minute. Good evening, Mr. 
Pinner. I see you beat me, anyway. 

Sim. Yes, I b'lieve in goin' early 'n' avoid'n' the rush. 

Ros. So do I. Where's Millie, Oleander ? 

Ole. Up in her room. I was jest helpin' her put on her 
dress 'n' things. , 

Ros, Is her mother with her, or anybody ? j 



44 WILLOWDALE. 

Ole. No, she wouldn't let her in. She locked the door. 

Ros. Oh, I guess she'll let me in. I'm going right up. 

Ole. All right. She'll see you, of course. {Exit Ros- 
ETTA, L.) Want t' go 'n the other room, Mr. Pinner, and 
see the rest of the presents ? 

Sim. Don't care 'f I do. {Knock c. d.) I bet that's Lem 
Hackett. (Oleander admits Lem Hackett.) Hello, Lem ! 
I knew that was you. 

Lem. Wal, 'tis. Where's Mr. Bassett ? 

Ole. Oh, he's around here somewhere. Want t' see 
him? 

Lem. Yes, I do, 'n' mighty quick, too. Got a lot t' see 
to b'fore that wedd'n' comes off. 

Sim. Wedd'n' ? Seems t' me more like a fun'ral. 

Ole. I wish it was — Mis' Bassett's. {Giggling^ 

Sim. That's wicked. 

Ole. I don't care. That's all the fun I ever git 'round 
here, bein' wicked. Guess I'd have t' be a heap worse 'n I 
be, 'f I v/as t' git as wicked as Mis' Bassett is. She's a 
reg'lar old murderess, that's what she is. 

Sim. Who's she murdered ? 

Ole. Well, ain't it killin' Millie, havin' t' marry that old 
Godfrey ? It'll be a livin' death to her, bein' his wife, when 
she wants Tom Skerrett so. 

Sim. Wal, I s'pose they ain't no help for it, now. 

Ole. I guess not, when the weddin's t' take place at 
half-past eight, 'n' it's 'most eight now. 

Lem. Might be a mericle. 

Sim. I guess it 'd take cne, t' p'rvent Mis' Bassett havin' 
her own way. 

Lem. I'm goin' t' find Joel. {Goes l.) S'pose he's in 
the kitchen. Oleander? 

Ole. No, I guess you'll find him out 'n the yard some- 
wheres. You'll think it's a fun'ral, when y' see him. 

Lem. Wal, I'll go out 'n' see 'f I can't cheer him up. 
That's a kind of a specialty o' mine. {Exit c. d.) 

Ole. Huh ! I d' know^ how he's go'n' t' do it. Mr. 
Bassett's 's glum as a gravestone. Can't cheer him up. 

Sim. W'al, what 'd he want t' consent t' Millie's givin' up 
Tom Skerrett 'n' marryin' Godfrey f'r, anyvv^ay? She 
wouldn't 'a' done it 'f he hadn't set in 'n' told her she'd 
better, 



Ole. Beats me. They's some reason for it, but I d' 
know what 'tis. Mis' Bassett rules this roost, I c'n tell y'. 
{Enter Mrs. Bassett, r., i7i time to hear Oleander's last 
sentence^ 

Mrs. B. What's that ? Wal, I guess I do, you impudent 
thing, 'n' Til see 't you don't roost here any more, 'f you 
ain't careful. (Oleander giggles.) Gigglin' agaiit ! If you 
ain't a case. 

Ole. Yes, ma'am, but not a case f'r a lawyer, though — 
if it was some lawyers I know. 

Mrs. B. What! {Goes at her, as if to strike her. Ole- 
ander dodges and 7'ims offi.?) That gal gits worse 'n' worse 
every day. I used t' think mebbe I could manage her some- 
time, but I've about give up. 

Slm. That so? Must be discouragin', when y'r s' used t' 
managin' folks. 

Mrs. B. What d' you mean by that ? 

Sim. Oh, nothin'. 

Mrs. B. Yes, you do, too. You're flingin' out about my 
daughter. I want you t' know it ain't none o' your business, 
'n' I know what's f'r her good. She's marryin' Mr. Godfrey 
of her own free will, 'n' if anybuddy says she ain't, you c'n 
tell 'em it ain't no sech thing. 

Slm. They wouldn't b'lieve that. Mis' Bassett, if she told 
'em so herself. 

Mrs.. B. Wal, of all things ! How dast you stand there 
'n' talk t' me like that, Simon Pinner ? You, of all folks — 
lazy, shif'less thing ! {IC7iock c. d. She goes upi) It's a 
good thing f'r you that y' ain't worth noticm'. {Opens door, 
ad7nitting Mr. Prosser a7id Clarence Dinsmore.) Good 
evenin'. Come right in. 

Mr. p. Good evening, Mrs. Bassett. Ah, Mr. Pinner, 
how do you do ? 

Sim. Pretty well, thank y'. 

{They all excha7ige greet i7igs.') 

Mrs. B. Everything's all ready. (Dinsmore is up by 
table looki7tg. at gifts.) Ain't she got a nice lot ©'presents, 
Mr. Dinsmore ? My, she ought t' be a proud girl ! I guess 
we've seen the last of Tom Skerrett. I heard he was goin' 
t' go away somewhere, 'n' I hope t' goodness he will. 



46 WlLLOWDAtJii. 

Dins. That doesn't seem like Tom. I hardly believe it. 

Mrs. B. Wal, that's what I heard. 

Mr. p. I am quite sure it is a mistake. Tom Skerrett 
will stay here. Nothing, I venture to say, can cause him to 
go away. 

Mrs. B. I know one thing, though, he won't come around 
this house, 'n' I guess when Millie Bassett becomes Mrs. 
Joseph Godfrey, he'll make up his mind t' keep away from 
her. Don't you want t' go in the other room 'n' see the rest 
of the presents, Mr. Prosser ? It's about a half an hour be- 
fore the time for the ceremony. 

Mr. p. Yes. (As he goes r.) Before the ceremony, Mrs. 
Bassett, which it gives me more pain than pleasure to think 
of performing. 

Mrs. B. Land ! y' needn't feel that way about it ; if you 
didn't do it, some other minister would. {Exewit r.) 

Dins, {looking after her). I don't know what I wouldn't 
give to outwit that woman. 

E7iter Millie and Rosetta, l. Millie wears her wedding 
dress ^ but has not yet put on the veil. 

Ros. Oh, Mr. Dinsmore, you here ? Look, here's Millie, 
just dying with grief. Isn't it awful, to think of such a wed- 
ding? I've been trying to console her, but I can't. I don't 
feel much more cheerful myself. 

Dins, {near Millie, c. ; Rosetta, l.). It is not too late 
to rebel, even now, Miss Bassett. It would be far better to 
refuse to become an unwilling wife, even at the eleventh 
hour, than to know a life-long regret. 

Ros. That's what I say. It's terrible, and if I was her I 
wouldn't do it — not for all the mothers in the world. I'd 
just assert my rights, and say " I won't ! " 

Mil. You don't understand. I cannot back out now. 
There is some reason I do not understand why I must be 
that man's wife. For mother alone I would not do it, but 
father has told me enough to make me know that I must do 
it for his sake. 

Ros. But why — what ? 

Mil. I don't know. I only know that something terrible 
must happen if I do not consent, and I will, for my father. 
I know he would not allow it if it were not necessary and 



for the best, so I have made up my mind to make no further 
resistance, to marry Joseph Godfrey, and to be a true wife to 
him. He shall never hear a word of reproach from my lips, 
for if I cannot be happy, I can at least be uncomplaining 
and patient. 

Ros. Well, that's more than I could be, with a man I 
didn't want. It's too much. I don't believe any woman is 
called upon to make such a sacrifice. Do you, Clarence ? 

Dixs. I — I don't feel competent to give advice in such 
a case. {Going up.) I can only admire the woman who 
will make such a sacrifice for another's sake, and despise 
the man who forces it. Not for all the world would I take 
an unwilling bride. 

Ros. You won't need to, when — 

Dins. When I can get such a willing one. Is that it ? 

{She goes io him and he puts his arm about her, kissi7ig her. 
Millie sifiks into a chair, l., coi^ering her face and laeeping.) 

Ros. Oh, how selfish we are, to be so happy at such a 
time. {She goes to Millie, caressing her.) 

Mil. {Iooki?tg up). No, it would be selfish in me not to be 
glad you are so happy, but — but to see you makes me 
reahze all that I am losing. Oh, I cannot do it ! I cannot ! 
I cannot ! ( Weeping^ 

Ros. And you won't I Say you won't, MilUe ; it isn't too 
late yet. 

Mil. {rising and trying to be brave). Yes, it is too late. I 
shall not give way again. I will go up-stairs now, and get 
ready. Will you come, Rosetta ? 

Ros. Yes, in just a minute. I want to speak to Clarence 
first. 

Mil. Very well. I want you to help me fix my veil. 

Ros. Yes, I'll come right away. {Exit Millie, l.) Her 
veil ! Dear me, I feel as if it was her shroud. It might as 
well be, almost. 

Dins. That doesn't sound very cheerful, I must say. 

Ros. Of course it doesn't, but what do you expect? See 
here, there's something you're not telling me. Now, confess. 

Dins. Why, what do you mean ? 

Ros. Oh, you know, well enough. You and Lem Hackett 
have been having a lot of mysterious business lately. I 
want to know what it's all about. 



4g 



WiLLOAVDALfi. 



Dins. Why, Rosetta, you know. Didn't I come right 
over to your side, after you overheard Godfrey and me talk- 
ing the night of the sociable ? Haven't I turned traitor to 
him, and done all I could to help Lem clear Tom of susp:c'on ? 

Ros. M'm — well, yes, perhaps. You knew you had to, if 
I was ever to speak to you again, and I rewarded you by 
promising to be your wife. You came over to our side, but 
you haven't told me all that you have accomplished, you and 
Lem. There's something I don't know. 

Dins. And it's too much for your curiosity. I see. 
Well, I can't tell you. 1 am pledged to absolute secrecy, 
but — 

Ros. A secret — from me ? It isn't right. Why, the 
idea ! v\^e're engaged, and here you are with a secret from 
me^ {Pouting.) I didn't think you would treat me like this. 

Dins, {coaxing he?^. But, Rosetta — 

Ros. {drawi/ig away from hi7?i). Leave me alone ! I 
tliought you loved me too much for this. 

Dins. Now, Rosetta, don't disappoint me. Don't be 
like some girls and mistrust the man who loves you, at the 
very first. I know I did wrong ; I came near being a villain, 
and if it hadn't been for you, there is no saying what would 
have become of me. You have been my salvation. Don't 
spoil it all by not believing in me a little longer. 

Ros. i^veakening). But, Clarence, you — I — you shouldn't 
have a secret — 

Dins. It isn't my secret, dear. I could not tell you, be- 
cause — well, if you can be patient only a little while longer, 
you will know all, and I promise you it will be worth waiting 
for. 

Ros. Then I will. I'll wait, and I will never doubt you 
again. Wasn't I foolish ? But you'll forgive me, won't you ? 

Dins. Why, of course I will. I don't blame you a bit, 
only — 

Ros. Only — {hesitating) it — it's something about JMillie's 
fortune. Isn't it ? 

Dins. Nov/, that would be telling, and you promised — 

Ros. Yes, I know, but — it's so hard to know just enough 
to make you wonder what it is you don't know. And I — 
I'm a woman, you know. 

Dins. Yes, and the dearest little woman in the world, 
too. {Kissing her.) 



WILLOA^DALE. 49 

Ros. I shall try to be — to you, dear, and — I will keep 
my promise. There ! I must go up-stairs now. Millie will 
wonder what has become of me. {She runs out l. He stands 
a mome?it looking after her, with a look of pride and happiness. 
After a slight pause, Joel Bassett enters l.) Ah, Mr. Bas- 
sett, good evening. 

Joel. Good evening, Mr. Dinsmore. Where's all the 
folks ? 

Dins. Well, a number of them are in the other room. 
Lem Hackett went out to find you. Didn't you see him ? 

Joel. No. I guess I was up-stairs. Most time for the 
ceremony, ain't it ? 

Dins. I guess it is. {Looking at his watchi) There's 
half an hour yet. Godfrey hasn't arrived. 

Joel. That so ? He'll be here on time, though. No 
danger that he won't turn up. Do y' know, Mr. Dinsmore, 
I feel as if I was bury in' my daughter ? I'd almost ruther, 
th'n see her married t' that man. 

Dins. You're the third one who has called this wedding 
a funeral within the last half hour. I declare, if Lem 
Hackett doesn't — I — (Joel has sat doivn, and now sits with 
his face buried in his hands) — I say, Mr. Bassett, don't feel 
that way. It isn't so bad, after all. 

Joel {looking tip). Not bad? How could it be worse? 
My Millie marry in' a man she don't want, and givin' up one 
she loves ? And I — I had t' m.ake her do it. 

Dins. It was for her own sake, Mr. Bassett. 

Joel. I thought it was for the best. It was to save her 
— yes ; but it was more for my own sake. You don't know, 
and you mustn't know. Nobuddy must know. But I meant 
it for the best — I meant it for the best ! {He rises and 
slowly exits r., with his head bowed and almost sobbing.) 

Dins. Poor old man. It was hard not to tell him. 
Little he realizes that I know it all, and that — (Lem 
Hackett puts his head in c. d.) Hello, Lem, that you ? 

Lem. Yes, it's me. You all alone ? 

Dins. Yes, just at present. 

Lem. That's good ; then we'll resk it. {Motioning to some 
one without^) Come on in, they ain't nobuddy here. {Smil- 
ing at Dinsmore.) Wal, I mean nobuddy much. (Tom 
Skerrett enters c.) I mean nobuddy y' don't want t' see. 



56 ^ WILLOWDALIJ. 

Dins. Ah, Tom, I'm glad to see you. {Shakes hands with 
Tom.) Say it's a funeral. 

Tom. Why, what do you mean ? 

Dins. Well, that's what everybody seems to think, and I 
should think you'd feel that way if anybody does. 

Lem. Not much. I've cheered him up. 

Dins. Oh, that's it ? I'm glad to hear it. 

Tom {smiling). Yes, strange as it may seem, Lem has 
cheered me up. 

Dins. Well, well, what's going to happen ? 

Lem. Yes — w^hat? Just wait and see. Something '11 
happen, I'll guarantee. Ain't it most time f'r the ceremony .'* 

Dins. Yes. Have you arranged everything ? 

Lem. Trust me for that. You and Tom go in. {Going 
\.. a?id looking off^ I wonder where Oleander is. {Calling, 
cautiously^ Oleander ! She don't seem t' hear. I'll go 'n' 
find her, 'n' have her get the bride. If I only don't run up 
ag'inst the old lady. You go on in there {7notionifig r.), and 
wait. {Exit l.) 

Dins. Come, Tom. 

Tom. Yes — I — but I'm all in a daze. I don't seem to 
realize — 

Dins. But you will, soon. If there has got to be a wed- 
ding, you might as well be there. 

Tom. Yes, I want to be there when it takes place, and 
I mean to be, too. 

Dins. Yes, even Mrs. Bassett and Joe Godfrey himself 
shall not deny you that privilege. Come on. 

(Dinsmore goes out r. folloived by Tom. After a pause, Lem 
Hackett enters i.., followed by Rosetta Gates and Millie, 
the latter now weai-ing her veil. She looks pale and sad ; 
Rosetta tries to appear cheerful and to comfort her, while 
'LE.uputs on a long face which evidefitly does not suit his feel- 
ijigs. He leads them across stage, and they exeunt r., without 
a word. As they disappear, Oleander ente?'s l. She looks 
after the77t with great interest, follows them to r. and sta7-es 
off) 

Ole. Poor thing, she looks more like a ghost than a 
bride. I wish that old Godfrey 'd drop dead before he could 
ever git here t' be married to her. I s'pose it's wicked t' 



WILLOWDALE. 51 

wish that, but it ain't half s' wicked as 'tis fer her t' be made 
t' break her heart hke this. Oh, I jest hate Mis' Bassett ! 
I hate her ! {She goes back to c. as Mrs. Bassett ente?'s r.) 

Mrs. B. Oh, here y' are. I was lookin' for y'. I want 
y' t' see 'f my dress is all right b'hind. Sech a time as I 
had gitt'n' fixed, 'n' you wa'n't nowheres t' be found. {Turn- 
ing about for inspection.) Is it all right ? 

Ole. Yes, ma'am. You look fine, but I don't see how 
you can do it. 

Mrs. B. Do what ? Wear this dress ? Land, didn't I 
have it made a purpose f'r Millie's wedd'n' ? 

Ole. I didn't mean that. I meant make Millie marry 
that — 

Mrs. B. There ! you needn't say no more. Comments 
from you ain't necessary. You jest attend t' y'r own affairs 
'n' we'll run ours. 

Ole. Yes, ma'am — but I think it's dreadful ! {Blubber- 
ing) She don't want t' marry him ; she wants — Tom 
Skerrett. 

Mrs. B. {cuffing her). There, take that, you impudent, 
meddling thing ! 

Ole. I don't care ! I'd ruther go back t' the poor house, 
anyway, th'n live in the house with you. 

Mrs. B. Wal, that's where you c'n go, then, f'r all me. 
You go up-stairs, now, 'n' see if Millie ain't ready. It's 
almost time. 

Ole. No, ma'am, I ain't goin'. 

Mrs. B. What's that ? You won't go ? 

Ole. No, ma'am, I won't — not t' tell her it's time t' 
come 'n' marry that man. She won't come t' be his wife 
through none o' my callin'. 

Mrs. B. Wal, of all things ! I'll go m'self then. {She 
exits l. indignantly) 

(Oleander looks after her defiantly, ?naking a face, giggling. 
The door c. opens cautiously, and Mis' Hazey looks in.) 

Mis' Hazey. Am I late to th^ wedd'n' ? 

Ole. No, Mis' Hazey ; come right in. 

Mis' H. {with an air of great importance). After much 
hesitation, I have decided to honor the occasion with my 
presence. I am the Queen ! Do you comprehend^ minipn 



52 WILLOWDALE. 

— the Queen ! I come to see the downfall of the wicked 
Baron. He thought to wed me, but I outvvitted him, and 
now he seeks revenge. But let him beware ! bew^are, I say ! 

Ole. That's what I say, 'n' I hope you're right, if you 
mean that Mr. Godfrey. 

Mis' H. No, no ! The Baron ! The day of reckoning 
has come. 

Ole. Goodness, ain't she loony ? ( Giggling.) Here, 
Queen, you set here. {Placing a chair np l.) It'll soon be 
time f'r the wedd'n'. 

Mis' H. (^pointing to chair). Here ? Is this the seat of 
honor ? Is it a throne ? 

Ole. Oh, my, yes ! Jest you set in it 'n' it'll be one. 
i^She leads Mis' Hazey up a7id seats her i?i chair. There is a 
knock c, and Oleander goes and admits several villagers, who 
come in looking curiously about, whispering together, etc. Ole- 
ander gives the7n seats tip stage r. a7id L. One or two of them 
inspect the p7'-esents 07i table, a7id while all this is goi7ig on God- 
frey ente7's c. He co77ies dow7i to r. c, the othejs regardi7ig hi77i 
with ijiterest. Mis' Hazey sta7'ts up with a show of excite- 
ment, tlie7i sifiks back i7ito her chair, mutteri7ig to herself. Ole- 
ander is down 7iear Godfrey.) 

God. I hope I'm not late ? {To Oleander.) 

Ole. No, sir ; they's plenty of time. {U7ider her breath?) 
Land knows, if I's the bride, I'd wish you'd never come. 

God. What did you say ? 

Ole. I said, I'll go 'n' tell Mis' Bassett you're here. 
{Sta7'ts L.) 

God. Is Dinsmore here ? 

Ole. Yes ; he's in the other room there, {^Lidicating r.) 

God. Well, go and tell him I ^vant him here. He's to 
be my best man. 

Ole. {going r.) Best man ? I guess not. If you Avant t' 
know who's the best man around here, it's Tom Skerrett. 
{She hurries out R.) 

God. That girl needs me for a master. I'd soon tame 
her. 

E7itcr Mrs. Bassett, l. 

Mrs. B, {to the guests). Good cvenin'. (C,"ossi7ig to God- 
frey.) Everything's all ready, 'n' I'm glad you've come. 



WILLOWDALE. 63 

Let me take your hat 'n' coat. {She takes his things and goes 
to R.) I'll tell "em it's time, if you're ready. 

God. Yes, as soon as Mr. Dinsmore comes. Oleander 
has gone for him. 

Mrs. B. Oh ! wal, I'll tell him t' hurry up. Oh, Joseph, 
you don't know how proud and happy I am. 

God. Yes, I understand. It's time for the ceremony, I 
believe. 

Mrs. B. Yes, it is. Where's Miss Barber ? Oh, there 
she is ! (^Goes up and speaks to one of the guests?) Now, Miss 
Barber, if you'll be ready t' play the wedd'n' march. 

{A young lady seats herself at the organ and p7'epa?'es to play. 
Enter Glarence Dinsmore, r.) 

Dins, {going to Godfrey). Came near being late, didn't 
you ? 

God. No, I guess not. {To Mrs. Bassett.) Tell them 
we are ready. 

Mrs. B. {down r. c). Yes, I will. I went up-stairs 't' 
find Millie, but she wa'n't there. I s'pose she's in the other 
room, ain't she, Mr. Dinsmore ? 

Dins. Yes. 

(Mrs. Bassett goes out r. Godfrey and Dinsmore go up c, 
where they stand waiting. The wedding march is played on 
the organ., and after a pause Joel enters r., 2vith Millie on 
his arjn, preceded by Mr. Prosser, who goes up and takes 
his place c. Mrs. Bassett, Dinsmore. Rosetta, Lem 
Hackett, Simon Pinner and Oleander also enter from 
R., and standi, c. Millie meets Godfrey up c, and they 
stand facing Mr. Prosser, with their hacks to the audience. 
The ?nusic stops and Mr. Prosser reads the 7?iar?'iage service. 
Godfrey answers " I do I " when the question is put to him, 
but when the minister says to Millie, ^' Do you take this man, 
etc.'^ she turns slightly a?id replies in a finn voice, '•'■No!'''' 
There is a momefif s pause and a sense of excitement. Mrs. 
Bassett starts forwaj'd ivitli her mouth open, as if to say 
so77iething, but for an i?istant simply stares at Millie in 
speechless rage and a?tiazeme7it. Joel, Dinsmore, Lem 
Hackett and Mr. Prosser show no surprise, but the others 
look on in astojiishment, beginning to murmur in suppressed 



54 WILLOWDALE. 

tojies. Finally, Mrs. Bassett faces Millie furiously and 
speaks?) 

Mrs. B. You — what do you mean ? Did you — 

Mil. I said " No," and I mean it. I will not, I cannot, 
be that man's wife. (^She at first see7ns about to falter^ but 
gathers st?'e7igth aud speaks lait/i boldness, pointing to Godfrey, 
who at first looks too amazed and c?-estf alien to speak.) 

Mrs. B. I don't believe it ! I won't ! You shall be his 
wife — I say you shall 1 

Mil. Never ! 

God. {going to her and speaking in subdued, passiojiate tones). 
You can't back out now. Don't you dare ! I won't be made 
a fool of like this. 

Joel. Wait a minute. She means what she says, and I 
back her up in it. 

Mrs. B. You ! You don't dast do sech a thing. {To 
Millie.) Come, now, no more foolin'. {To the minister}) 
Go on with the ceremony. She'll say " Yes " this time. 
{Aside to Millie threateningly^ You'd better ! 

Mil. No ; my ansvv^er shall be the same, now and always. 
I cannot be that man's wife, because — 

Mrs. B. Well, why? Say why you can't. 

Mil. Because I am already a wife — (Tom Skerrett 
enters r., a?id she goes to him) and here is my husband ! 

(Tom ////j- his arm about her, and they face Godfrey and Mrs. 
Bassett, ^vho fall back in utter amazeinent and coifusion. 
Mrs. Bassett is the first to recover. She is fairly livid with 
rage as she turjis to Joel.) 

Mrs. B. Joel Bassett, is this true ? 

Joel. Yes, mother. 

Mrs. B. I don't believe it ! It can't be ! How — when — 

Tom. We were married, Mrs. Bassett, not ten minutes 
ago. in {pointing r.) that room. 

Mr. p. Yes, Mrs. Bassett — by me. 

God. So you are in it, too ? A pretty piece of business 
for a minister. 

Mr. p. I think so. Better than to have married her 
to you. 



I 



WILLOWDALE. 65 

(Godfrey turns aivay with chagrin which he vainly seeks 1o 
hide, and goes up r. Mrs. Bassett has sunk ijito a chair 
L., a?id is clasping her hands and grating her teeth, rocking 
fro7n side to side, in speechless rage?) 

Mr. p. No doubt a few words of explanation are neces- 
sary. I have no compunctions in saying that I performed 
the ceremony in that room just now wilUngly and gladly, for 
the circumstances are such as to justify, I believe, what I 
have done. 

Mrs. B. {springing up and bursting into a torrent of enraged 
talk). Oh, you do, do you ? Then I'd like t' kaow what 
you call justice ? Nice business, I call it, when a girl has 
promised to marry one man, to marry her to another, and 
then go s' far 's t' stand up and go half way through another 
ceremony. A pretty minister, you be ! You ought t' be 
churched ! 

Tom. Wait, Mrs. Bassett ! Mr. Prosser has done per- 
fectly right. He lent himself to our plans because we con- 
vinced him that we were justified in thus getting the best of 
a man who has stooped to deceit and villainy to win one 
whom he wants only for her money — 

Mrs. B. Ho! money? A heap she's got! She ain't 
worth a penny. 

Tom. You are mistaken, Mrs. Bassett. She is heiress to 
fifty thousand dollars. 

Mrs. B. a likely story ! 

Tom {pointing to Godfrey). Ask him ! 

God. {sullejil}'). Yes — it is the truth. 

Mrs. B. Millie Bassett an heiress ? fifty thousand dollars? 
How — I — I don't understand. 

Mil. From my father. 

Mrs. B. What! Your — father? 

]\IiL. Yes, my father — Henry Bassett! 

Mrs. B. You know ! {^She shrieks and agaiji falls into the 
chair, completely oz'crcome.) 

Joel. Yes, mother, from Henry. Pie died a month ago 
— rich. 

Mrs. B. So you've told her the secret we both swore t' 
keep to our dyin' day ? You've told her — you ? Oh ! Oh ! 
Oh ! {Hysterical.) 



LofC. 



66 WILLOWDALE. 

Joel. No, no, I didn't tell her. It wasn't me. 

Tom. I am her husband now, Mrs. Bassett, and I will 
explain. It is true, Millie has been told the secret of her life. 
She knows that Joel Bassett is not her real father, but her 
uncle instead, and that — 

Mrs. B. {springing up). That her own father was a rascal, 
a thief ? That he was sent t' prison a month b'fore she was 
born, that it killed her mother when she was a week old, and 
that we swore t' bring her up as our own daughter 'n' never 
let her know her disgrace ? She knows all that too, I s'pose ? 

Tom. Yes, and more than even you know. She knows 
that her father was released from prison ten years ago, and 
that he went to the Far West, where he made an immense 
fortune. She knows that about two months ago, taken with 
an illness from v/hich he had no hopes of recovering, he 
engaged Joseph Godfrey to make his will in his daughter's 
favor, and that Godfrey, concealing the fact of his existence 
and her inheritance — 

God. Well, if I did ? That was a strict requirement of 
Henry Bassett's contract with me — that she was to know 
nothing of it till he was dead ! 

Tom. Yes ; but he did not require that you should marry 
her in the meantime, that you might get possession of her 
money, did he ? And that is what you tried to do. Can 
you deny it ? 

God. No. What's the use ? But for you I would have 
done it, too. 

Tom. No ; but for my good friend here — Lem Hackett. 

God. Hackett ? Ah, so I owe some of it to him, do I ? 

Lem {steppi7ig forward). Yes, thank the Lord, t' me. Y' 
see, Godfrey, I turned detective and ferreted out a few 
things. But I had some pretty good assistants. Let me in- 
t'rduce 'em. {Tuniing and pointing to Dinsmore, then to 
RosETTA Gates;) Clarence Dinsmore and his feeancy, 
Rosetta Gates. 

(Dinsmore leads Rosetta forward and they bow to Godfrey 
with mock civility.) 

God. Indeed! Dinsmore, eh ? (7^ Dinsmore.) I see 
I cannot even trust one whom I considered my friend. 
Dins. Sorry for you, Joseph, but it had to be. 



WILLOWDALE. 57 

Ros. Yes, sir, it had to be. You see, I made him. Oh, 
we found out all about the registered letter, and Clarence 
had to help me — us, I mean — or — well, he knows what. 

Dins, {/lis arm about her) Or lose the dear little girl who 
is all the world to him. 

God. Well, I wish you happiness, I'm sure, the whole 
lot of you. Good evening. {lie exits c. d ) 

Ole. {going and shutting the door vigorously after hmi). 
And good riddance of bad rubbish, too, you old woodchuck ! 
{Giggling, As she giggles she looks mischievously at Mrs. 
Bassett, and, meeting ivith no reproof, goes to her and giggles 
close to her ear.) I'm a-gigglin ' ! 

Mrs. B. {ivho has been looking on in a dazed condition, with 
miiigled surprise and anger, now turns quickly to Oleander 
and speaks sharply). I don't care 'f you be. Giggle all y' 
want t' ! 

Ole. My ! {Suddenly sober.) What's a-goin' t' happen ? 
{Retires to l.) 

Tom {turning to the guests, who have all shown 7nuch interest 
in what has been transpiring). Friends, for I hope you will 
let me call you my friends now — there is no longer any 
suspicion attached to my name. My innocence has been 
fully proven, and I have been rewarded by the greatest bless- 
ing any man can have — the woman he loves and the best 
wife in the world I hope you all will congratulate us. 

{With expressions of " We will I'' " We do P' etc, the guests 
crowd about Tovr and Millie, shaki7ig their hands, speaking 
words of congratulation, etc., then putting on their hats, etc., 
which Oleander has in the ineantime produced, and going 
out c. D. Mr. Prosser, Dinsmore, Rosetta, Lem 
Hackett, Simon Pinner a?id Mis' Hazey re7nain with 
Joel, Mrs. Bassett, Tom a7id Millie. During the fore- 
going scene, Mis' Hazey has shown interest at times, then 
sinking back in her chair and muttering to herself. As the 
others go out, she rises, goes toward CD., arid waves her 
hand excitedly.) 

Mis' Hazey. Yonder goes the wicked Baron — defeated ! 
May he be hurled over the cliff of the haunted ravine and 
never be seen again ! 

Joel. I guess somebuddy 'd better take her home. All 
thi§ '11 be too much f'r her, I'm afearecj? 



58 WILLOWDALE. 

Sim. I will. I'm go'in' right her way. 'N' I want t' say 
't I'm jest about diimiiustered by all I've heared, 'n' I guess 
I'll have t' go hum 'n' think it over. Never did see no sech 
'xcitement's this 'n all my borned days. I guess folks '11 
have somethin' t' talk about f r a week 'r so. 

Tom. Well, yes, Simon, I expect they will. But we 
thought it best to let everything be known. 

Sim. Sensible, too. 'F y' hadn't, they'd 'a' fixed it up 
t' suit themselves, 'n' no sayin' what kind of a mess they'd 
'a' made of it. Wal, good night, ev'rybuddy, 'n' much joy. 
(I/e takes Mis' Hazey o?i his arm and they go toward c. d. 
She looks at him with a haughty stare, then draws away from 
him a7id points out c. D.) 

Mis' H. Go, minion ! I am the Queen. Begone, and 
I will follow thee ! 

(^He chuekles, a7id with a shake of his head at the others, goes 
cut, followed by her. Mrs. Bassett is seated l. c, Joel 
standijig at her l. ; Tom and Millie stand c, Rosetta a?td 
DiNSMORE up R. ; Lem Hackett a?id Mr. Prosser, dow7i 
R. ; Oleander up l.) 

Joel {after a paicse, looking down tenderly at Mrs. Bassett, 
who sits with drooping head). Mother ! {She does not answer 
nor look up, and after a 7nomenfs silence he touches her shoulder 
gently and bends down, speaking ivith a voice trembling with 
e7notio7t.) Mother ! won't y' speak t' me ? Don't y' see it's 
all f 'r the best ? 

Mrs. B. You don't care what I think now, none of y'. 
You've got the best of me 'n' had y'r own way, 'n' y' ought 
t' be satisfied. 

Joel. No, mother, we ain't. We want you t' say you 
f'rgive us, 'n' let us all be happy t'gether. 

Mrs. B. {rising, with cold indiference and turning as if to 
go). No, you will be happier without me. Til go away 'n' not 
bother any of y' any longer. I c'n make my livin'some way. 

Joel. Mother! you don't mean that. You won't — go 
— away ? 

Mrs. B. Yes. Nobuddy wants me here. 

Mil. {going to her and speaking pleadijigly). We all want 
you. Don't we, father ? 

Joel. Why, of course we do. 



triLLOWDALl!. ijO 

Mrs. B. He ain't your father, 'n' I — {She stops, as if 
abnost overcome ivith emotion, a?td starts to go l.) 

Mil. He is all the father I ever knew. He is my father, 
and you — you are my mother. I want you to love me, and 
I — ^^ I love you ! 

Mrs. B. No, you don't love me. (^She has turned and now 
looks at Millie, almost in tears.) How can you — how can 
anybuddy, after the way I've done ? You're rich now 'n' got 
the man you want. You don't want me. 

Mil. Oh, mother — I do ! So does father. 

Joel. Yes, mother. 

Mil. (turning to Tom and holding out her hand ; he takes it 
and she leads him up to Mrs. Bassett). And so does Tom. 

Mrs. B. Not — Tom ? Tom, you — you can't forgive me ? 

Tom. Yes, Mrs. Bassett — mother ! — I do. All shall be 
forgiven and forgotten. We are too happy to let one un- 
pleasant thought remain. 

(Mrs. Bassett has gone to the chair l. c, and staiids with one 
hand on it ; she now sinks into the scat, covers her face with 
her hands and sobs?) 

Joel {hendifig over her, luiih an ar7?i about her shoulders). 
Oh, mother, don't I I can't stand it. {He drops on his knees 
beside her chair and buries his face in her lap.) 

Mrs. B. {lookifig up, teat fully, first at ]o^h, putting her left 
ar?Ji aroimd his neck ; the?i looking up at Tom afid Millie and 
holding out her hand). I — I don't deserve it, but I — I'm 
so glad 1 

(Millie takes her hand, kisses her and stands at her r. ; Tom 
behind her chair. Dinsmore ^7?^ Rosetta have gone up c, 
where they are preparing to go ; he now puts his arm about 
her, and they exeunt c. d., pausifig briefy in the door and 
looking back with a smile. Mr. Prosser /d?//(?7£/i- them out. 
Oleander has been watching the scene, at first with a slight 
show of amuse?nent, which gradually cha?iges to soberness, and 
now she slyly wipes her eyes. Lem, with a happy expression, 
goes across to her and they exeunt \..,just as the curtain falls ?) 

CURTAIN. 



t 

I 

/ft 

/ft 
/ft 
/ft 
/ft 

/ft 
/ft 

M/ 
v/ 

f 

M/ 
M/ 



THE MAGISTRATE, f a Farce in Three Acts. By Abthtjr W. 
x*x^ *Tx^*.v^xw>xxv^^A.t^ I pij^ERO. Twelve male, four female char- 

acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all 
interior. The merits of this excellent and amusing piece, one of the most popu- 
lar of its author's plays, are well attested by long and repeated runs in the 
principal American theatres. It is of the highest class of dramatic writing, and 
is uproariously funny, and at the same time unexceptionable in tone. Its entire 
suitability for amateur performance has been shown by hundreds of such pro- 
ductions from manuscript during the past three years. Plays two hours and 
a half. (1892.) 



THE NOTORIOUS 
MRS. EBBSMITH. 



A Drama in Four Acts. By Arthur "W. 
PiNEKO. Eight male and five female charac- 
ters; scenery, all interiors. This is a "prob- 
lem " play continuing the series to which "The 
Profligate " and "The Second Mrs. Tanqneray" 
belong, and while strongly dramatic, and intensely interesting is not suited for 
amateur performance. It is recommended for Reading Clubs. (1895.) 



THE PROFLIGATE. 



A Play in Four Acts. By Arthur "W. Pikk- 
RO. Seven male and five female characters. 
' Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate; 
costumes, modern. This is a piece of serious interest, powerfully dramatic in 
movement, and tragic in its event. An admirable play, but not suited for ama- 
teur performance. (1892.) 

yirp ^CHOOT MT^TRF^^ f a Farce in Three Acts. By Arthur 
inn ^^^nUVJl^mi^M J:^j ;>^>. ^^ Pij.ero. Kine male, seven fe- 
"-~~~~~-^— — — ^— — — — — — ^ male characters. Costumes, mod- 
ern ; scenery, three interiors, easily arranged. This ingenious and laughable 
farce was played by Miss Rosina Yokes during her last season in America with 
great success. Its plot is amusing, its action rapid and full of incident, its dia- 
logue brilliant, and its scheme of character especially rich in quaint and humor- 
ous types. The Hon. Vere Queckett and Peggy are especially strong. The piece 
is in all respects suitable for amateurs. (1894.) 



THE SECOND 
MRS. TANQUERAY. 



A Play in Four Acts. By Arthur W. 
PiNERO. Eight male and five female char- 
acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three 
interiors. This well-known and powerful 
play is not well suited for amateur per- 
formance. It is oflFered to Mr. Pinero's admirers among the reading public in 
answer to the demand which its wide discussion as an acted plav has created. 
(1894.) Also in Cloth, $1.00. 



SWEET LAVENDER. 



A Comedy in Three Acts. By Arthur 
"W. PiNERO. Seven male and four female 
characters. Scene, a single interior, the 
same for all three acts ; costumes, modern and fashionable. This well known 
and popular piece is admirably suited to amateur players, by whom it has been 
often given during the last few years. Its story is strongly sympathetic, and its 
comedy interest abundant and strong. (1893.) 

THF TTTVTF^ I a comedy in Four Acts. By Arthur W. Ptkero. Six 
■*• '*' '"-' •*• •"^y-'-'-'^* I male and seven female characters. Scene, a single ele- 
' gant interior ; costumes, modern and fashionable. An 
entertaining piece, of strong dramatic interest and admirable satirical humor. 
(1892.) 



THE WEAKER SEX. 



A Comedy in Three Acts. By Arthur 
W. PiNERO. Eight male and eight female 
characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 
two interiors, not diflScult. This very amusing comedy was a popular feature of 
the repertoire of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal in this country. It presents a plot of 
strong dramatic interest, and its incidental satire of " Woman's Rights" em- 

?loys some admirably humorous characters, and inspires many very clerer lines, 
ts leading characters are unusually even in strength and prominence, vhich 
makes it a very satisfactory piece for amateurs. (1894.) 



/ft 

f 
T 

M/ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

The Plays of Henrik Ibsen. 



£dite4f with Critical and Bio§:taphicaI IntirodtfCttofv 
by EDMUND GOSSEL 

This series is offered to meet a growing demand for the plays of this -vrell- 
at>used and liotly-discussed writer, whose influence over the contemporary drama 
is enormous even if his vogue in the American theatre be still regrettably 
small. These plays are intended for the reading public, but are recommended 
for the use of literary societies and reading clubs, and somewhat diffidently 
suggested to dramatic clubs, as providing unconventional but vigorously acta- 
ble material. As a dramatist Ibsen is absolutely " actor-tight," and has written 
more successful parts and inspired more •• hits " than any of his more popular 
contemporaries. This edition is printed in large, clear type, well suited for the 
use of reading clubs. The following titles are ready. 



i 

(Us 

/I 



A DOLL'S HOUSE. 



THE PILLARS OF SOOETY. 



female characters. 



A Play in Three Acts. Translated by Wii/- 
LiAM Archer. Three male, four female char- 
acters, and three children. Price, 85 cents. 

A Plat in Tour Acts. 

Translated b y William 

Archer. Ten male, nine 

Price, 26 cents. 



GHOSTS. 



A Drama in Thbbb Acts, Translated by. "William 
Archer. Three male, two female characters. '<^ 

Price, 25 cents. 



ROSMERSHOLM. 



/is 

T 

SI/ 

f 
M/ 

M/ 

w 

THE YOUNG MEN'S LEAGUE. I ^^^^ ^AVii Si 



THE LADY FROM THE SEA. 



characters. 



A Drama in Four Acts. Translated by M. 
Carmichasl. Four male, two female charac- 
ters. Price, 25 cents. 



A Drama in Five Acts. 

Translated by Clara Bell. 

Five male, three female 

Price, 25 cents. 



AN ENEMY OF SOCIETY. 



ters. 



A Play in Five Acts. Trans- 
lated by William Archer. 
Nine male, two female charac- 
Prlce, 25 cents. 



THE WILD DUCX. 



A Drama in Five Acts. Translated by E. 
M AVBLINQ. Twelve male, three female 
characters. Price, 25 cents. 

A Play in Five Acts. 



male, six female characters. 

HEDDA GABLER. 



THE MASTER BUILDER. 



female characters. 



Cabstarphen. Twelve 
Price, 26 cents. 

A Drama nr Foxtb Acts. Translated by 
Edmcnd Qosss. Three male, four female 
eharaoterg. Price, 50 cents. 



A Plat in Three Acts. Trans- 
lated by Edmund Gossk and Wil- 
liam Archer. Four male three 
Price, $0 cents. 



T 
f 



S. J. PARKHILL A CO. 



F>RINTC:RS, boston. U.S.A. 



